Piedmont ordered up to 55 new Boeing 737-400s.

Piedmont Airlines became the first carrier to order the new fuel-efficient plane, a 156-seat twin jet that Boeing says will be the world’s most modern passenger aircraft when it becomes available in two years. Boeing placed the value of the 55 aircraft at about $1.9 billion, including spare parts. The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based carrier said it expects delivery of 25 jets beginning in September, 1988. The airline also has an option to buy 30 additional 737-400s to be delivered in 1990 and 1991.