Orders For Boeing 777s Soar

Boeing's sales of its upper-middle-sized 777 jets are flying high this year, while sales of European rival Airbus' similar models seem stuck on the tarmac.

Boeing is expected to pull in orders for at least 113 of the planes this year valued at more than $18 billion, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Orders for Airbus' competing A340 and one modes of the A330 are at 33 so far this year, the Journal reports.

Japan Airlines has ordered eight Boeing Triple Sevens and three 767s worth $1.6 billion, the Associated Press reported Monday.

International Lease Finance of Los Angeles reportedly plans to order 33 of the planes by the end of the year.

The 777 seats up to 365 passengers. It sells for about $170 million.

Boeing officials see the sales as an affirmation of their bet that airports want smaller and more efficient planes that can bypass hubs.

Airbus, banking on the packed flight schedules at major hubs, has developed A3XX planes that carry up to 650 people, compared to Boeing's upper limit of 520 on its newest jumbos, the Journal reports.

Airbus will begin producing the planes in 2001, and made the airwaves earlier this year by scoring numerous orders for the giant jumbo.