When Boeing bought Airbus

Key.Aero explores the bizarre negotiation which involved Boeing buying aircraft made by its arch-rival and explains what happened to those airframes in the years that followed

In 1999, American aerospace giant, Boeing won a $1.9 billion order for ten of its 777 jetliners from Singapore Airlines, in part by agreeing to buy 17 Airbus widebodies from the Asian carrier.  

Singapore Airlines
Photo: Aviation Image Network/Bailey

When Boeing launched its 777-200IGW model in the mid-90s, the manufacturer saw significant potential for business with Singapore Airlines. However, at that time, the southeast Asian airline was satisfied with its current fleet of Airbus A340-300 and was therefore reluctant to make the swap.  

In a c

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