China Airlines Considering Boeing 777X Or A350-1000 Order For US Flights

A report by Reuters published on Friday indicates that China Airlines
is planning to order additional aircraft to facilitate further growth, primarily on key US markets and high-density regional routes. The carrier currently operates to several destinations in the US using its fleet of Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s.

A potential order

The airline is looking at replacing its 10 Boeing 777-300ERs. The aircraft and their specifications are listed below, per ch-aviation data. The airline is reportedly weighing between the 777X and A350-1000.

Registration

Delivery date

Age (rounded; years)

B-18007

May 2016

8

B-18006

January 2016

9

B-18005

October 2015

9

B-18003

August 2015

9

B-18002

June 2015

9

B-18001

May 2015

9

B-18055

January 2015

10

B-18053

November 2014

10

B-18052

October 2014

10

B-18051

October 2014

10

B-18007 China Airlines (Boeing Livery) Boeing 777-309(ER) (3)

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

They have an average age of 9.4 years and offer a combined total of 3,580 seats. They are each configured with 358 seats in a three-class layout, distributed as follows:

  • 256 in economy class
  • 62 in premium economy
  • 40 in business class

The 777 fleet is clearly not very old. However, the airline has been modernizing its fleet with long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 and overhauling its short-haul inventory with A321neos.

Related

Taipei Taoyuan International Airport: A Terminal Guide

Welcome to the heart of Asia.

On the passenger side, it has 24 787s on order and 12 A321neos according to ch-aviation. The former will replace the older A330s (average age of 17.2 years) and the latter the 737-800s (9.1 years).

Routes in the US

China Airlines operates to five destinations in the United States, of which four see the Boeing 777-300ER. Thus, the aircraft forms an essential part of its US network, where they are primarily deployed. According to Cirium data for October 2024, the airline flies to the following destinations:​​​​​​

Flights between Taipei and Seattle resumed on July 15 after a 16-year hiatus. The airline uses the A350 on this route, five times a week.

China Airlines Airbus A350

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Political influence

The airline’s Chairman, Hsieh Su-chien, said on Saturday that any potential order was not subject to political considerations despite the carrier being majority-owned by the Taiwan government.

Both Airbus and Boeing planes were being studied, with Hsieh admitting that it was not facing any political pressure to swing in either direction. This came after industry sources indicated to Reuters that the upcoming US election in November would complicate any deal.

Related

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Taiwanese Flag Carrier China Airlines

A few interesting facts about the Taoyuan-based SkyTeam member.

China Airlines Boeing 777 landing

Nancy Pelosi, former US House of Representatives Speaker, visited Taiwan in 2022. This was quickly followed by a China Airlines order worth $4.6 billion for the Boeing 787 in order to replace its A330 fleet.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *