Boeing Co. formally launched a freighter version of its 777X jetliner as Qatar Airways struck one of the largest cargo deals on record, giving the U.S. plane-maker an edge over longtime rival Airbus SE.
The Doha-based carrier placed a firm order for 34 of the 777-8 freighters plus options for an additional 16 jets, the companies said Monday. That total includes 20 jets converted from a previous order for a passenger version of the 777X. The outlines of the deal were first reported by Bloomberg last week.
Qatar also agreed to take 25 of the largest version of Boeing’s 737 Max narrowbody jet, with options for another 25 of the workhorse aircraft.