Boeing Scores In Airbus' Backyard

PARIS - Air France has ordered four 777-300ER passenger jets from Boeing Co., the Chicago-based aircraft maker said Tuesday.

In a statement, Boeing said Air France - now part of Air France-KLM SA, the world's largest airline - had exercised four options on an earlier contract, in a deal worth $920 million at catalogue prices.

The carrier, which already operates eight of the mid-sized 777-300ER jets, plans use the four new planes for services to destinations such as La Reunion and the Antilles.

Patrick Alexandre, Air France executive vice president for commercial and international networks, said the 777-300ER had already proved itself as a "passenger-pleasing moneymaker" on routes such as Paris-Tokyo.

The plane will "improve the flying experience for our customers going to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean locales," Alexandre said in a statement.

Air France-KLM's U.S. shares rose 35 cents, or 1.8 percent, to $19.38 in midday trading Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange, near the high end of the 52-week range of $14.26 to $19.81. Boeing shares fell 40 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $57.90 in midday trading on the NYSE, near the high end of the 52-week range of $38.04 to $58.74.