Around mid-April 2007, Boeing booked 30 more orders for 787, taking the number sold this year to 96.

Of those, 67 are for unidentified customers, including the 30 recorded recently.

Firm orders now stand at 544, with a further 23 pending for a total of 567.

It is understood that the 30 are for one customer, as are the 15 ordered around mid-March this year. Companies linked to the latest order are American Airlines and leasing giants GECAS and ILFC.

Boeing has sold another five 777s, also to unidentified customers, taking sales of that type to 45 for the year. All told the manufacturer has sold, net of cancellations, 220 aircraft this year.

Separately it is understood that US Airways has opted to stay with the A350 rather than swapping to the 787 and will buy more A330s to plug the capacity gap.