Japan Airline passes on Boeing, orders Airbus

TOKYO -- Japan Airlines announced a $9.5 billion order with the European aircraft Airbus Monday, marking the first time the large Asian carrier has neglected to order new planes from the Boeing company, the New York Times reported.

Japan Airlines plans to buy 31 Airbus A350 wide-body jets, expected to replace Boeing 777s as the carrier's main long-haul airplane. Deliveries are expected in 2019.

This is the first time Airbus -- Boeing's main competitor -- has moved into the Asian market on such a large scale. Japan is the second-largest air travel market in Asia following China, the New York Times reported

There was no official word on why Japan Airlines went with Airbus ,however,ties between Boeing and Japan Airlines were strained following problems with the Boeing 787. Now Airbus is looking into other typically exclusive Boeing companies, including All Nippon Airways, the New York Times reported.

Each A350 holds up to 350 seat passengers and the deal includes options for 25 additional planes, the New York Times reported.