777 8F china airlines
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and China Airlines (CAL) today announced the carrier as the newest 777X customer with an order for 10 777-9 passenger and four 777-8 Freighter airplanes. The first carrier in Taiwan to order the fuel-efficient 777X, China Airlines will leverage the widebody jet’s added capacity and range on long-haul routes to North America and Europe.
In addition to the firm order, which booked in March 2025 and was posted as unidentified on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website, the airline has options to purchase five 777-9s and four 777-8 Freighters. With this order, China Airlines joins an exclusive group of global airlines that have ordered the passenger and freighter variants of the 777X family.
“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,” said Kao Shing-Hwang, chairman of China Airlines. “The advanced technology and features of the 777-9 will provide our customers with the best-in-class flying experience, while the 777-8 Freighter’s range and fuel-efficiency will enable us to maintain a leadership position in air cargo. This is a significant investment toward our future, and we will rely on the new 777X family to help realize our long-term sustainability goals.”
The world’s largest twin-engine jet, the 777-9 will offer 20% lower fuel use and emissions than the airplanes it replaces, as well as the lowest operating cost per seat of any airplane as it connects far-flung destinations with a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km). The 777-9 will allow China Airlines to maximize capacity with 426 passengers in a typical two-class configuration while offering exceptional comfort with a more spacious cabin environment.
“The 777X will enable us to deliver an enhanced travel experience and greater reliability for our customers,” added Chen Han-Ming, president of China Airlines.
Given the interoperability of the 777X with its current Boeing twin-engine freighters, China Airlines plans to renew its fleet with the new 777-8 Freighter, which offers 747-sized payload capability along with a 30% improvement in fuel efficiency and emissions and up to a 60% smaller noise footprint.
“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. “We value China Airlines’ continued confidence and look forward to delivering the new 777Xs adorned with the beautiful plum blossom livery in the coming years.”
Customers around the world have now ordered more than 520 777X airplanes sustaining thousands of jobs at Boeing’s Everett, Wash., site and across the supply chain.
“Operating the 777-9 and 777-8 Freighter will allow China Airlines to add capacity and position the airline for further growth going forward,” said Dan Schull, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales, Northeast Asia. “In addition to these new 777X jets, China Airlines has 787 Dreamliners on order that will further strengthen its world-class fleet for many years to come.”
Notes:
- This deal is welcome news for Boeing, whose 777X program is way behind schedule. Generally, 777X news has been increasingly reflecting customer frustration with these delays.
- China Airlines is a special case. Based in Taiwan, its home market is perennially threatened by China. This means that the nation treads carefully and deliberately.
- Last December, China Airlines said it would buy 10 Boeing 777-9s and 10 Airbus A350-1000s plus four 777-8 freighters. Indeed, in today’s Airbus O&D report for April, the 10 A350-1000s were listed.
- China Airlines is Taiwan’s flag carrier. It is majority-owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation (CADF), a nonprofit entity wholly owned by the Taiwanese government. As of 2025, CADF holds approximately 30.86% of China Airlines’ shares, making it the largest shareholder. Another significant stakeholder is the National Development Fund of the Executive Yuan, Taiwan’s sovereign wealth fund, which owns about 8.6% of the airline. Combined, these holdings reflect the airline’s status as a state-backed enterprise, though it is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
- Given this ownership, the airline’s decisions reflect the government’s interests. Buying from Airbus and Boeing is necessary for the airline’s fleet growth and critical for remaining a vital economic partner to the EU and the USA.
- So, no matter how long the 777X is delayed, we will not hear any negative comments from China Airlines or the Taiwanese government. The other airlines waiting for the 777X can make a fuss while the Taiwanese maintain a low profile.
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