Both Boeing Co. and its European rival, Airbus, emerged with a piece of British Airways’ $8.2 billion order for 36 new long-range aircraft today.

The London-based carrier said it is ordering 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A380 superjumbo jets. The airline also took options on seven more A380s and 18 787s.

In splitting the order, BA satisfied the British government, which had lobbied hard for Airbus because the A380’s wings are built in the UK, and Boeing, which traditionally supplied most of the airline’s long-haul aircraft.

In buying the A380, British turned its back on Boeing’s new 747-8 Intercontinental, Boeing’s entry in the superjumbo sweepstakes. Boeing had hoped to sell the 747-8 to BA. It has logged only 20 orders for the passenger version of the aircraft from German airline Lufthansa. Five wealthy individuals have ordered the executive jet version of the new plane, and the company has more than five dozen orders for the freighter model of the 747-8.

In picking the 787, British declined Airbus’ offer to sell it A350s, Airbus’ rival to the Dreamliner. Airbus had reportedly offered to provide BA with A330 aircraft until the A350s become available in 2014.

British said it will take a second look at the A350 and Boeing’s 777-300ER and Boeing’s 787-10 later in its long-haul fleet replacement cycle.

The 787 will go into commercial service next year at Japan’s All Nippon Airways.

Despite booked up assembly lines, Boeing apparently managed to find room to begin delivering 787s to BA in 2010.