While details remain limited as of now, China Airlines plans to introduce new cabins on its Airbus A350s, despite these planes still being relatively new.
China Airlines investing big in Airbus A350 cabins
China Airlines has revealed plans to partner with Airbus to retrofit the cabins of its A350-900s. For context, the airline has 15 of these jets, and they’re an average of around seven years old, having all been delivered between 2016 and 2018.
Details of the cabin retrofits are very limited as of now, though we’re being promised a new travel experience across all cabins (business class, premium economy, and economy), updated inflight entertainment, and a refreshed cabin environment. The airline hopes that this will “enhance the competitiveness of China Airlines through a more comfortable traveler experience and high-quality service.”
We don’t yet know when this retrofit project will happen. Given current supply chain challenges, I suspect the updates aren’t imminent. We do know that the airline is investing $400 million USD in updating A350 cabins, which comes out to nearly $27 million USD per aircraft. That represents some pretty substantial cabin updates, so we’re not just talking about new carpets and seat fabrics.
This is a massive investment for modern aircraft
I wasn’t really expecting China Airlines to announce cabin updates on such new aircraft, so this is pretty cool. China Airlines’ A350s already feature gorgeous interiors, including stylish reverse herringbone seats in business class.
I can’t help but wonder what business class product China Airlines is planning on introducing. Whatever it is, I have to imagine that it will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
Taiwan is one of the most competitive aviation markets in the world, as you have three world class airlines. In addition to China Airlines, you also have EVA Air and Starlux Airlines, both of which offer a lovely passenger experience, especially in business class:
- Starlux Airlines’ A350 business class is amazing, as Starlux was the launch customer for the Collins Aerospace Elements product, which is the latest and greatest reverse herringbone seat
- EVA Air’s 787 business class and 777 business class are both fine hard products, but aren’t really cutting edge; what makes the airline amazing is the soft product
When you look at the new, modern business class products, my money would be on China Airlines selecting the Collins Aerospace Elements product, as you’ll find on Starlux Airlines. That’s because China Airlines already has a partnership with Collins Aerospace, and has historically relied on that manufacturer for its premium seats.
The one thing I find a bit puzzling is that China Airlines plans to invest in its A350 cabins, but not its 777 cabins. China Airlines has 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, and they’re an average of just over nine years old. Surely they’re nowhere close to retirement (or are they?), so I wonder why the A350s are being updated before the 777s.
In Taiwan, China Airlines isn’t alone in updating the cabins of its existing aircraft. EVA Air also plans to update its 777 cabins, though that will only start in 2026.
China Airlines also has Boeing 787s on order, but these are intended primarily as regional aircraft, to replace Airbus A330s.
Bottom line
China Airlines will be updating the cabins of its 15 Airbus A350-900s, in a project that’s expected to cost around $400 million USD. It’s rare to see an airline update cabins of jets this new, especially when they already have a competitive product. I’m very curious to see how this plays out, and to learn more.
What are you expecting from China Airlines’ A350 cabin updates?
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