Boeing, Airbus and the great Emirates conjuring trick

A few years ago Christopher Nolan, whose current film Inception is turning into one of this summer’s blockbusters, directed a thriller about two rival magicians. Set in London at the beginning of the 20th century, The Prestige tells the story of how two magicians obsessed with creating the very best stage illusion engage in fiercely competitive one-upmanship. It all ends tragically.

In the corporate sector, Boeing and Airbus have been engaged in a ferocious game of one-upmanship for leadership in the global commercial aircraft market. Airbus came from nowhere, challenged its US rival, and ultimately overtook it. Boeing’s head of commercial aircraft, Jim Albaugh, now says he is “very confident about how we are positioned to regain – and retain – leadership in this business”.

Mr. Albaugh on Monday pulled a plump rabbit out of his hat on the opening day of the Farnborough Air Show. He announced that Boeing had won an impressive order for 30 of its 777 widebody airliners from Emirates, the Dubai-based carrier that is already the 777’s single largest customer.