Singapore Airlines orders 60 new planes

Betting on the continued growth of international travel, Singapore Airlines ordered 60 new jets in a deal worth $17 billion, the airline announced.

The airline has split its order, calling for 30 Boeing planes and 30 Airbus jets, with delivery of the aircraft beginning in 2016.

Quiz: What can’t you take onboard a jetliner?

The order is the latest example of an industry investing big in the future.

In 2011, American Airlines ordered 460 new planes and confirmed the order several months later after its parent company AMR Corp. filed for bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, several airlines have recently invested millions of dollars in renovating their lounges and planes to accommodate big-spending fliers, such as business travelers.

Delta Air Lines, for example, is spending about $12 million to help upgrade its Skyteam Lounge and terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.

The order by Singapore makes the airline the launch customer for a proposed stretched version of the 787 Dreamliner, a 320-seat aircraft designed for busy routes in and out of Asia.

Singapore Airlines also agreed to order 30 additional A350-900 aircraft on top of the 40 it has already ordered.

ALSO:

Mid-size airports suffer biggest cuts in airline service

Many fliers willing to pony up for better seats, poll finds

LAX fails to land in top 100 ranking of world’s best airports