Airbus had the competitive edge among the stack of aircraft orders this week, winning a total of 130 contracts, with a list price of $13 billion, while Boeing took away 103 orders, worth $10 billion.
Leasing companies showed the most confidence, pointing to a strong rebound in the rental market. And single aisle aircraft were largely on their order list.
Multiple Orders For Leasing Start-Up
Air Lease Corporation (ALC) demonstrated confidence earlier this week by placing multiple orders for 60 B737-800s and 51 A320s and A321s.
The US-based company also announced an order for 15 E-190 jets from Embraer, at list prices, with options for five more.
Air Lease has said it plans to assemble a fleet of at least 100 aircraft by early 2011, but does not mention potential airline customers, instead citing "lease commitments from a large group of diversified airlines."
Flybe Commits to Embraers
Flybe announced firm orders for 35 Embraer 175s on Tuesday (20 July), with options for 65 more and purchase rights for a further 40.
It became the first major order for a European and regional carrier at this year's Farnborough Air Show.
The additional aircraft will allow Flybe to take its business model to Continental Europe and expand over the next 10 years, said Jim French, the airline's chief executive.
Flybe currently operates 14 Embraer 175s in the fleet.
Hong Kong Airlines' Airbus Order
Hong Kong Airlines signed a draft agreement to convert its 15 A330 orders to A350 XWBs and has placed a separate order for 10 A330-200s.
Yang Jian Hong, president of Hong Kong Airlines, said: "The A330-200 is the perfect platform for us to develop our long-haul network, while the A350 XWB will become our new flagship towards the end of this decade."
Including orders placed this week, Hong Kong Airlines is expecting 15 new A350 XWBs and 18 A330s.
The carrier also has 30 single aisle A320 aircraft on firm order.
A330s to Join Aeroflot Fleet
Aeroflot ordered 11 A330-300s this week, at list prices.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of 64 A320s and leases 10 A330s.
In 2007, it placed an order for 22 A350 XWBs. The aircraft model, which competes with Boeing's Dreamliner, is still under development and is scheduled to enter service in 2013.
From Left: Jim Albaugh, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group; H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Prime Minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai and David Joyce, president and CEO, GE Aviation.
Emirates in B777 Expansion
Emirates' deal this week for 30 777-300s "in list prices" appears a drop in the ocean for Dubai's fast-growing national carrier, which has also previously ordered 71 B777-300s (53 of which are now in service).
Emirates is today the largest operator of the B777 aircraft, with 86 in service: three -200s, six -200ERs, 10 -200LRs, 12 -300s, 53 -300ERs and two freighters.
Plus, Emirates still has 79 A380s, 70 A350s and 
seven Boeing freighters on order.
Norwegian Opts For New B737 Series
Norwegian Air Shuttle has placed an order for 15 B737-800s, which will be phased in from 2014 to replace its existing B737-300s.
The carrier is also evaluating aircraft for its planned low-cost long-haul offshoot, with a decision expected later this year.
Reports in the media suggest that the B787 and the A350 XWB are likely options.
Royal Jordanian Ups Dreamliner Order
Royal Jordanian - the first carrier in the Middle East to order the Dreamliner B787-8 - placed an order for three more aircraft on Tuesday (20 July), at list prices.
Hussein Dabbas, Royal Jordanian's President & CEO said that the aircraft will provide the "range capability to serve North America", among other destinations, from its Amman hub.
The order means that the airline is now committed to 11 Dreamliners. The first four B787s were ordered in 2007 and an arrangement has been made to lease two planes from CIT Aerospace and two from International Lease Finance Co.
LAN in Preliminary Deal For A320s
LAN Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday (20 July) for 50 new A320 family aircraft for delivery between 2012 and 2016.
It is slated as the largest single airline order for Airbus in Latin America. The carrier plans to sell its existing 15 A318s as part of a major fleet upgrade.
LAN now has 152 Airbus planes on order, including 30-single aisle A320 family aircraft, ordered in December 2009.
The carrier currently operates 58 Airbus aircraft, the aircraft manufacturer confirmed.
Qatar Orders Long-Range B777s
Qatar Airways announced orders for two additional B777-200s as part of its continued growth plans.
With today's announcement, Qatar Airways has firm orders for 10 Boeing B777s and a further three on option.
The Doha-based airline also revealed a revised delivery schedule of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with the first to arrive from the fourth quarter of 2011 to help meet early aircraft requirements.
Qatar Airways currently has 19 Boeing 777 aircraft in its fleet - 11 Extended Range (300-ERs), six Long Range (200-LRs) and two freighter versions.
Garuda Orders Six Long Range Aircraft
Garuda Indonesia has placed a firm order with Airbus for six long-range A330-200s.
Scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2012, the aircraft will join the carrier's fleet of four recently delivered leased A330-200s and six owned A330-300s, already in service.
Emirsyah Satar, president & CEO, Garuda Indonesia said: "Since we started operating the A330-200 last year, it has proven itself to be a winner for us both in terms of operating economics and passenger appeal."
A number of other significant orders should also get a mention. These include:
Bank of Scotland's £5 billion order for 95 passenger aircraft for its aviation leasing division.
Leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services' deal for 100 single-aisle planes, 60 A320s and 40 Boeing 737s.
Kuwait-based lease firm ALAFCO's conversion of 12 Airbus A350-800 orders to A350-900s.
Virgin America's firm order for 40 A320 single-aisle aircraft, with options for 20 more.
Bombardier's first commercial order of the week from Qantas for seven Bombardier Q400 turboprops.
Republic Airways' letter of intent for 24 Embraer 190s, with delivery in mid-2011.
Germania's firm order for five A319s.
French carrier Air Austral's order for two long range 777-200LRs.
Brazil airline, Azul's contract for 20 ATR 72-600s, with delivery scheduled in late 2011.
Lao Airlines and Swedish regional carrier, Golden Air's order for two ATR 72-500s each.
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