China Airlines has just announced plans to place an aircraft order that’s split between Airbus and Boeing, for new flagship, long haul aircraft.
In this post:
China Airlines orders Airbus A350s & Boeing 777s
China Airlines intends to acquire 20 new wide body passenger aircraft, split between Airbus and Boeing. The Taiwan-based SkyTeam carrier is ordering 10 Airbus A350-1000s and 10 Boeing 777-9s. Deliveries of both jets are expected to begin in 2029, so we’ll have to be patient for these aircraft to be delivered (and that assumes there are no additional delays).
China Airlines intends to use these new jets to operate some of its longest and most premium routes to both North America and Europe. The planes will be in a three-cabin layout, with business class, premium economy, and economy.
The A350-1000 is the largest and most fuel efficient version of the A350, while the 777-9 is Boeing’s new flagship long haul aircraft, which has been delayed by six years (and counting).
This isn’t China Airlines’ only wide body order in recent times, as in June 2023, the airline ordered 24 Boeing 787s. That order is comprised of 18 787-9s and six 787-10s, which are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2028. However, those planes are replacing A330-300s, which primarily operate short and medium haul flights. So China Airlines won’t even use the full range of those jets.
How China Airlines’ fleet is evolving
China Airlines has undergone an impressive fleet modernization project in recent years:
- The airline has replaced its Airbus A340-300s and Boeing 747-400s with Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs
- The airline is currently replacing its Boeing 737-800s with Airbus A321neos
- Soon the airline will replace its Airbus A330-300s with Boeing 787-9s and 787-10s
So, what should we make of this latest order? The only planes that China Airlines can still potentially replace are its 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, which are currently an average of just under 10 years old. Five years down the road the planes will be around 15 years old, so my guess is that the Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s will be replacing those aircraft.
Still, there’s quite a bit of growth here, as this isn’t just about replacing old aircraft. China Airlines has only 10 777-300ERs, while the airline is taking delivery of 20 new high capacity, long range jets.
Perhaps the one thing that’s surprising is just how varied China Airlines’ wide body fleet will be. Eventually the carrier’s narrow body fleet will consist exclusively of 25 A321neos, which is straightforward enough. However, the wide body fleet will be comprised of 15 Airbus A350-900s, 10 Airbus A350-1000s, 18 Boeing 787-9s, six Boeing 787-10s, and 10 Boeing 777-9s.
Admittedly we’re only talking about three aircraft types (the A350, 777, and 787), but still, you can’t help but wonder what the benefit is of having both the A350-1000 and 777-9, for example. I have to imagine it comes down to pricing, availability, and hedging bets.
Aviation in Taiwan sure is competitive, since you have three full service, global airlines, all of which are growing. China Airlines also plans to update its long haul product, as the airline will be introducing a new A350 business class.
Bottom line
China Airlines is refreshing its long haul fleet, as the airline is ordering 10 Airbus A350-1000s and 10 Boeing 777-9s. These will be delivered starting in 2029, and will be used to operate flights to the United States and Europe. In addition to replacing China Airlines’ 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, these will also be used to enable growth.
What do you make of China Airlines’ aircraft order?
Impressive fleet evolution.
I have to wonder whether TPE will find a way to fit this growth. The current terminals are overcrowded, and even when they do open TPE Terminal 3 over the next few years (2027?), the fact that the Ministry of Transport ordered the airport to stop construction on Terminal 4 and the third runway doesn't bode well for resolving the constant crowding issues that terminal faces. That being said, I really do look forward to...
I have to wonder whether TPE will find a way to fit this growth. The current terminals are overcrowded, and even when they do open TPE Terminal 3 over the next few years (2027?), the fact that the Ministry of Transport ordered the airport to stop construction on Terminal 4 and the third runway doesn't bode well for resolving the constant crowding issues that terminal faces. That being said, I really do look forward to the 3 carriers upping their lounge game at Taoyuan T3
Entirely political reasons to split orders between Boeing and Airbus. When you are a small country with a big and covetous neighbor, you want as many friends as possible.
To answer your question on the benefit is of having both the A350-1000 and 777-9, they had 20 744s at one time which was the most capable a/c at the time and you didn't have much to choose from as you do today. They were flying them pretty much to every long-haul destination. Now with the advent of smaller a/c with increased range, they can "right-size" accordingly to meet demand.
So it does make sense.
China Airlines in Taiwan is mostly owned and controlled by the government, to split the order is also a political strategy.
I'm jealous of Taiwan with three competitive FSCs, as someone who has to visit Korea often where soon a monopoly in FSC will begin.
After a tumltuous few years, it's just good to see carriers getting back on their feet, placing orders for new toys and making invesments in their products no matter the size and cost. Geopolitics certainly played a role in this and I forsee PR also placing a Boeing order (not necessarily the 777X as their government is cozying up to the US as well)
I can see the A35K initially displace the 77W on JFK...
After a tumltuous few years, it's just good to see carriers getting back on their feet, placing orders for new toys and making invesments in their products no matter the size and cost. Geopolitics certainly played a role in this and I forsee PR also placing a Boeing order (not necessarily the 777X as their government is cozying up to the US as well)
I can see the A35K initially displace the 77W on JFK and LAX before the 777X comes in as it's more efficient while the 77W trickles down to OZ/NZ, SFO and YVR aside from increased regional flying. And I can see some new routes being added or even resumed especially with the expansion of TPE. I can see EVA ordering some 777Xs as well.
The only thing left for CI (and BR) to do would be to take part in improving the airport experience.
It's good to see the 777X getting new customers and I hope that momentum builds as Boeing is trying to get back on its feet after gong through turbulence themselves. But it'd be nice to have a completely new 777 customer aside from LH. The only major customer left would be QF who ironically, was part of the development of the original 777 program. I remember when there were a slew of new 777 customers that have not ordered the original 772/2ER from QR and Etihad to PR, Saudia, etc. placing orders for the 300ER/200LR.
Ben must be salivating over these upcoming flagship products!
Happy Holidays to all.
TPE and Taipei as a whole are quite space constrained.
The new terminal 3 should help a lot. EVA and CI will probably invest in new lounges.
Completely agree with all of this. I definitely expect EVA to order 777Xs later... they have A35Ks on order, but they'll lose capacity by ordering more A35Ks since their newer 777s are 3-4-3 in Y
Just like CI, EVA will displace the 77Ws with the A35Ks to JFK and LAX as it's more efficient and certainly more comfortable aside from being their flagship routes. Once they do get 777Xs, that trickles up to JFK and LAX initially, while the A35Ks trickle down to "less premium" and long and thin routes as well as for additional frequencies.
As an aside, how many 777s are in 9ab and on what routes are they used on anyway?
The new A350s are wider and can accommodate 3-4-3 in chicken class.
For a 10ab 77W, you either block off some seats with a belly full of cargo filled to the gills or you fill the seats, but leave some cargo behind.
The A35K does not have this problem. And I doubt they'll do 10ab on their A35Ks. PR is the only mainline carrier to have confirmed to go 10ab.