China Airlines on Thursday announced an order for 10 BOEING 777-9 passenger jets and four 777-8 Freighter airplanes. The order, booked in March 2025 and previously unidentified on BOEING's orders website, positions the carrier as the first in Taiwan to order the 777X family.
The agreement includes options to purchase five additional 777-9s and four more 777-8 Freighters. China Airlines (CI) will leverage the widebody jet's capabilities on long-haul routes to North America and Europe as it joins an exclusive group of global airlines operating both passenger and freighter variants of the 777X.
China Airlines Chairman Kao Shing-Hwang stated the new aircraft represent a major investment. "As a long-time operator of the 777-300ER and 777 Freighter, we are excited to welcome Boeing's newest 777X family into our world-class fleet," Kao said.
The 777-9, described as the world's largest twin-engine jet, offers space for 426 passengers in a typical two-class layout. Boeing states the aircraft will provide 20% lower fuel use and emissions compared to airplanes it replaces. With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), it aims to provide the lowest operating cost per seat. China Airlines President Chen Han-Ming commented, "The 777X will enable us to deliver an enhanced travel experience and greater reliability for our customers."
For its cargo operations, China Airlines plans to renew its fleet with the 777-8 Freighter. This model offers payload capability comparable to a 747-sized aircraft while improving fuel efficiency and emissions by 30% and featuring up to a 60% smaller noise footprint. The freighter's interoperability with the airline's current twin-engine freighters supports seamless integration.
The order continues a nearly 60-year partnership between the airline and BOEING. "As we welcome China Airlines to the 777X customer family, we are pleased to build on our nearly 60-year partnership that traces back to the 707 and 727," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
Over 520 777X airplanes have been ordered globally, supporting jobs at Boeing's Everett, Wash., site and across its supplier network.
Dan Schull, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales, Northeast Asia, added that the new jets, along with 787 Dreamliners already on order, will strengthen China Airlines' fleet for years to come. He noted the 777X aircraft will allow China Airlines to add capacity and prepare the airline for further growth.
