Qantas orders 31 737-800's

Qantas has ordered 31 next-generation 737-800 single-aisle planes, worth about $US2.3 billion ($2.68 billion), Boeing says.

The deal is Qantas’ second large single-aisle order this decade. It bought 38 737s in 2001, which have now mostly been delivered.

The new order brings the number of 737s sold this year to 713, making it by far Boeing’s most popular plane with airlines.

Boeing now has 1213 net orders for the year so far, already its highest tally ever, well ahead of its record of 1044 last year.

The Chicago-based company is neck and neck with European rival Airbus in the race for orders this year.

The final tally for both companies, adjusted for cancellations, should be made public early in January