The European consortium announced that United Parcel Service, the world's largest express delivery service, had signed a $5bn plane order.

The $5bn UPS order is a major boost for Boeing

This was the first time UPS had picked Airbus and dealt a blow to Boeing's prestige in the American manufacturer's backyard.

US leasing company, General Electric Capital Aviation Services has also ordered at least 30 Airbus jets from the Airbus consortium.

Boeing meanwhile hit back with announcements of three new orders that totalled almost $900m.

The biggest was a $600m contract with Scandinavian Airlines System.

Orders stacking up

The Farnborough show has been a real moneyspinner for Airbus which is way ahead of Boeing in the battle for orders.

The consortium made up of partners from France, Germany, Britain and Spain has unveiled a raft of new orders recently.

Boeing has admitted being "too self-satisfied in the past"

Yesterday Dubai-based airline Emirates said it planned to buy six Airbus A340s with options on 10 more in a deal worth £1.5bn ($2.5bn).

In addition American company International Lease Finance Corporation is ordering 10 A340s as well as six Airbus A320s.

The firm orders brought Airbus sales by the third day of Farnborough to $6.7bn - with billions more in options.

Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard told reporters that the big US purchasers were becoming increasingly aware that it does not matter where their airplanes are made.

Boeing's determined front

Meanwhile firm orders landed by Boeing puts its new business at around $4.8bn - with many more deals for air planes that could be sold on option.

Boeing regional vice president, Tom Basacchi, was putting on a brave face.

He said the Scandinavian proved his company had "the right product for the European market."

However only last month, British Airways shunned America's Boeing in favour of Airbus in a big order for short-haul jets.

Harry Stonecipher, president of Seattle-based Boeing earlier admitted that the company had "let down many commercial aeroplane customers through late deliveries".

He also said the firm had been "too arrogant, too distracted and too self-satisfied".

However news of the Airbus deals is good news for workers at British Aerospace and Rolls-Royce which make the engines and wings that power the planes.