Paris AIR New Zealand Ltd has decided to buy wide-body planes from Boeing Co, people with direct knowledge of the matter said, ending an 18-month battle between the US aircraft maker and European rival Airbus SE. The carrier has been considering replacing eight Boeing 777-200ER aircraft in a deal worth over US$2 billion at list prices, though carriers typically receive steep discounts. Air New Zealand already uses Boeing wide-bodies exclusively on long-haul flights, and Airbus single-aisle jets on shorter routes. The final choices under consideration were the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, Air New Zealand chief financial officer Jeff McDowall said in a video interview with the New Zealand Herald. "They are both fantastic aircraft," Mr McDowall said. "Both produce a fantastic customer experience compared to the existing aircraft but also a lower cost and lower carbon emissions... We expect to make a decision soon, in the next month."