British Airways (BA, London Heathrow) is to become the latest operator of Airbus' planned A350-1000 after the airline's parent, the International Airlines Group (IAG), placed a USD6billion order with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) encompassing 18 firm orders for the type along with 18 options. An added contract worth USD1.6billion has been awarded to engine manufacturer, Rolls-Royce, for its Trent XWB engines. The first IAG aircraft is due to be delivered in 2018 with added plans to convert 18 options for Boeing's B787-9s into firm orders. Together with the newly ordered A350s, both these aircraft types will be used to replace the airline's 52 B747-400s by 2023. British Airways is also said to be considering Boeing's upgraded version of its hugely successful Boeing 777 family, the Boeing 777X, though this is dependant on the aircraft's performance specifications. IAG added that it was still in talks with Airbus and Boeing (BOE, Washington National) to secure more planes for Spanish unit Iberia (IB, Madrid Barajas).