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 |
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.

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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.
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.

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