China Airways has simply introduced plans to put an plane order that’s cut up between Airbus and Boeing, for brand spanking new flagship, lengthy haul plane.
China Airways orders Airbus A350s & Boeing 777s
China Airways intends to accumulate 20 new broad physique passenger plane, cut up between Airbus and Boeing. The Taiwan-based SkyTeam service is ordering 10 Airbus A350-1000s and 10 Boeing 777-9s. Deliveries of each jets are anticipated to start in 2029, so we’ll should be affected person for these plane to be delivered (and that assumes there are not any extra delays).
China Airways intends to make use of these new jets to function a few of its longest and most premium routes to each North America and Europe. The planes will be in a three-cabin structure, with enterprise class, premium economic system, and economic system.
The A350-1000 is the biggest and most gas environment friendly model of the A350, whereas the 777-9 is Boeing’s new flagship lengthy haul plane, which has been delayed by six years (and counting).
This isn’t China Airways’ solely broad physique order in latest occasions, as in June 2023, the airline ordered 24 Boeing 787s. That order is comprised of 18 787-9s and 6 787-10s, that are anticipated to be delivered between 2026 and 2028. Nonetheless, these planes are changing A330-300s, which primarily function brief and medium haul flights. So China Airways received’t even use the complete vary of these jets.
How China Airways’ fleet is evolving
China Airways has undergone a formidable fleet modernization undertaking lately:
- The airline has changed its Airbus A340-300s and Boeing 747-400s with Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs
- The airline is at present changing its Boeing 737-800s with Airbus A321neos
- Quickly the airline will change its Airbus A330-300s with Boeing 787-9s and 787-10s
So, what ought to we make of this newest order? The one planes that China Airways can nonetheless probably change are its 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, that are at present a median of just below 10 years previous. 5 years down the street the planes will probably be round 15 years previous, so my guess is that the Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 777-9s will probably be changing these plane.
Nonetheless, there’s fairly a little bit of progress right here, as this isn’t nearly changing previous plane. China Airways has solely 10 777-300ERs, whereas the airline is taking supply of 20 new excessive capability, lengthy vary jets.
Maybe the one factor that’s shocking is simply how diverse China Airways’ broad physique fleet will probably be. Ultimately the service’s slender physique fleet will consist completely of 25 A321neos, which is simple sufficient. Nonetheless, the broad physique fleet will probably 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 solely speaking about three plane sorts (the A350, 777, and 787), however nonetheless, you’ll be able to’t assist however surprise what the profit is of getting each the A350-1000 and 777-9, for instance. I’ve to think about it comes right down to pricing, availability, and hedging bets.
Aviation in Taiwan certain is aggressive, since you will have three full service, international airways, all of that are rising. China Airways additionally plans to replace its lengthy haul product, because the airline will probably be introducing a brand new A350 enterprise class.
Backside line
China Airways is refreshing its lengthy haul fleet, because the airline is ordering 10 Airbus A350-1000s and 10 Boeing 777-9s. These will probably be delivered beginning in 2029, and will probably be used to function flights to america and Europe. Along with changing China Airways’ 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, these will even be used to allow progress.
What do you make of China Airways’ plane order?