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Highlights

  • China Airlines orders 10 Boeing 777-9s and four 777-8 Freighters in March 2025
  • Becomes Taiwan’s first airline to select the 777X for long-haul passenger and cargo service
  • Order includes options for additional five 777-9s and four 777-8 Freighters

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and China Airlines have finalized a new order for the 777X aircraft family, with the carrier committing to 10 777-9 passenger jets and four 777-8 Freighters. The purchase, booked in March 2025 and initially listed anonymously on Boeing's orders and deliveries website, marks China Airlines as the first Taiwanese carrier to select the 777X series.

The 777-9 aircraft, known for its extended range of 7,295 nautical miles and seating capacity of up to 426 passengers, is designed for long-haul operations. China Airlines plans to deploy these jets on routes to North America and Europe, aligning with network expansion and fleet modernization goals. In parallel, the 777-8 Freighter, featuring 747-class payload capabilities and lower emissions, will support the airline’s air cargo strategy.

China Airlines has operated the 777-300ER and 777 Freighter for several years and will now expand its Boeing twin-engine fleet to include the newest generation of widebody aircraft. Alongside the confirmed 14 aircraft, the agreement includes purchase options for five more 777-9s and four additional freighters, potentially increasing the total order to 23 aircraft.

Boeing’s 777X is the latest addition to its widebody portfolio, combining passenger comfort with design features aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The aircraft also shares operational commonality with earlier 777 models, which may ease the transition for airlines like China Airlines that already operate Boeing twinjets.

This deal places China Airlines among a limited group of global carriers investing in both the passenger and freighter versions of the 777X. As the demand for international travel and cargo services evolves, the airline’s new order suggests a continued shift toward aircraft with greater efficiency and long-haul performance.