Delta102

The big news of the weekend was Emirates' $9.7 billion (list price) firm order for 42 of the 777 aircraft, and it also secured the purchase rights for 20 additional 777 aircraft. How that for coming up 7s? Oh, and there is no immediate gratification here. Emirates will have to wait in line until 2007 before the first aircraft in this order will be available.

Also making news was the $3.5 billion sale of 26 of Boeing's next-generation twin-engine 787 Dreamliners to two leasing companies. These highly anticipated jets offer better fuel economy, a highly sought-after feature with today's jet fuel prices. The first delivery of these jets will take place in 2009. The long delay is because, as of mid-November, 25 customers had already ordered 305 Dreamliners -- and the first will not enter production until 2007.

Boeing's name was also in the news as President Bush wrapped up his two-day trip to Beijing. The company sold 70 of its 737 aircraft, worth $4 billion, to the Chinese.

So, how big is $17.2 billion in orders? Last quarter, commercial aircraft sales at Boeing were $4.9 billion (although, because of a strike, the 61 aircraft delivered was 21 fewer than Boeing had planned). Still, you can see that last weekend's orders were equivalent to more than half a year's revenue at today's run rates.