Boeing Gets Qantas Order for Three 747s

Boeing Co. said it has received a $475-million order from Australia’s Qantas Airways Ltd. for three 747 passenger planes. The 747-400s are expected to be delivered in 1999 and 2000. The 747-400 carries about 420 passengers. The planes to be built for Qantas will be able to fly 7,200 miles, or nonstop between Los Angeles and Sydney. The Qantas order was announced a day after Seattle-based Boeing, the world’s largest commercial airplane maker, surprised investors by saying it will report a loss for the third quarter because of a $1.6-billion pretax charge. The charge is related to the company’s effort to rapidly boost monthly production in response to a recent surge of orders. Boeing shares fell 81 cents to close at $49.06 on the New York Stock Exchange.