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Boeing has received a boost for its grounded 737 Max jet after British Airways-owner IAG signed a letter of intent to order 200 of the planes.
The airline group said it was confident that the Boeing planes would return to service in the coming months.
Boeing is currently trying to develop a software fix for 737 Max planes after two deadly crashes.
All 737 Max planes were grounded in March after an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed, killing 157 people.
Five months earlier, 189 people were killed when a Boeing 737 Max operated by Lion Air crashed.
Analysis:
By Theo Leggett, BBC business correspondent
This is not a firm order, and IAG could change its mind if it wanted to – but it will still come as a huge boost for Boeing, at a show where it has been struggling to dispel the clouds hanging over its business.
The 737 Max may still be grounded – but it remains a flagship product for the American giant. It’s worth remembering it is the fastest selling product in Boeing’s history. It still has more than four thousand of them on order, far more than the rest of its range put together.
What IAG seems to have offered is a vote of confidence that the company will be able to make the aircraft unquestionably safe, and be able to demonstrate to regulators that it has done so, allowing it to return to market before long.
The economic reality is that airlines need the 737 Max – because of its high efficiency and low operating costs. Airbus simply cannot supply the whole market with its rival A320neo.
The deal, if it goes ahead, would be valued at $24bn (£19bn) at list prices. But it’s highly unlikely that IAG’s savvy chief executive Willie Walsh will be paying anywhere near that much.
Meanwhile the announcement may help to alleviate the mood at Boeing’s chalet, where it would be understandable if something of a siege mentality had developed over the past few days.
The planes will be used by IAG’s airlines including British Airways, Vueling and Level, the airline group said in a statement.
IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said: “We have every confidence in Boeing and expect that the aircraft will make a successful return to service in the coming months having received approval from the regulators”.
IAG’s “first priority is the safety of passengers and crew,” a spokeswoman said.
Boeing shares rose more than 2.8% after the announcement.