https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/17/business/airbus-paris-air-show-boeing/index.html

London (CNN Business)Airbus kicked off the Paris Air Show by unveiling a new jet and announcing orders for over 100 new planes. Its chastened rival Boeing was meanwhile stuck playing defense over the 737 Max.

The recent divergence in fortunes of the world's dominant planemakers was on full display at the biennial industry beauty contest, where the companies typically confirm orders for hundreds of jets.

Airbus (EADSF) opened the show by pulling back the curtain on the A321XLR, a new single-aisle aircraft with a longer range than variants of its popular A321neo. The jet will enter service in 2023, and ramp up the pressure on Boeing in the market for smaller planes that can fly long routes.

It quickly followed that up by announcing three new orders.
Middle East Airlines, the flag carrier of Lebanon, became the launch customer for the A321XLR by ordering four of the jets. Virgin Atlantic inked a deal for 14 A330-900s, a wide-body jet that occupies a market segment where Airbus has struggled recently. The largest order came from Air Lease Corporation for up to 100 planes including 27 A321XLRs and 50 A220-300s.

Boeing (BA) and Airbus have both netted 500 firm orders at each of the past three editions of the Paris Air Show, according to the investment bank Cowen, with options for additional aircraft topping 700.