Washington ? Buoyed by an influx of new orders, Boeing Co. appears to be turning the corner in its battle with archrival Airbus SAS.

Boeing’s commercial airplanes chief, Alan Mulally, conveyed that message in a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday — backed by a slew of new orders that testifies to the company’s improving jet sales outlook.

The latest evidence came earlier Tuesday when Air India announced plans to order 50 new Boeing jetliners — a deal worth $6.8 billion minus undisclosed price discounts. On Monday, Air Canada said it had made firm orders for 32 Boeing jets at a list price of $6 billion.

Earlier this month, Korean Air said it would order up to 20 of Boeing’s new fuel-efficient 787 aircraft in a deal worth up to $2.6 billion at list prices. Analysts and numerous published reports also have said that Northwest Airlines Corp. is negotiating an order for a substantial number of planes.

“The momentum has definitely swung in their favor, in terms of orders,” said J.B. Groh, an analyst with D.A. Davidson.

All the airlines involved in the recent orders had been committed Airbus clients.

“It’s not just sheer volume in customers’ orders — it’s penetration deep in the heart of Airbus territory,” said Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst for the Teal Group in Fairfax, Va.

Boeing’s stock fell 58 cents to close at $59 in Tuesday trading on the New York Stock Exchange, after earlier rising to $60.

Mulally, a graduate of Lawrence High School and Kansas University, wouldn’t give specifics about his closed-door presentation. Mulally is a top contender along with Boeing defense unit chief Jim Albaugh to become the company’s new CEO.