Boeing lands blockbuster order

Boeing lands blockbuster order for 61 of its 737 jets

Boeing has landed a blockbuster 61-jet order from Copa Airlines of Panama. The order would be worth $6.6 billion at list prices, though big airlines receive significant discounts on such orders.

The deal was announced on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, a gathering of North and South American leaders that's being hosted this year in Panama's capital city.

Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron and Boeing CEO Jim McNerney signed off on the order for 61 Boeing 737-MAX jets at a Friday ceremony attended by President Barack Obama and Panamanian President Carlos Varela. Trade officials said the deal is the biggest ever between U.S. and Panamanian companies.

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BOEING: Copa Airlines selects the 737 MAX with 61 airplane order (press release)

Copa has long been a staunch Boeing customer. The carrier's current fleet of 98 aircraft includes 72 Boeing 737 jets of various models, according to the carrier's website. The remaining planes in Copa's fleets are mid-size E190 jets made by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer.

The Copa order announced Friday with Boeing is for the 737 MAX, a "next generation" update to Boeing's best-selling model. The aircraft, scheduled to debut in 2017, includes newer fuel-efficient engines as well as other design updates.