China Airlines has decided to firm up its option for eight more Boeing 787 Dreamliners, adding to the 16 jets it has already ordered. The Taiwan-based carrier says deliveries will take place between 2025 and 2028.

China Airlines ups Dreamliner order

As Simple Flying reported in September, China Airlines finalized its order for 16 Dreamliners, with the agreement including options for another eight widebodies. The carrier has gone ahead and exercised these options, taking it to 24 outstanding Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

Photo: Boeing

Its additional aircraft will help the airline meet the growing demand for air travel in the post-pandemic era - in a May 10th statement, China Airlines said the jets would be deployed on its regional, Oceania and long-haul routes, with the deal to be finalized with Boeing in "the near future."

China Airlines will become the second Taiwanese carrier to operate the 787 Dreamliner after EVA Air, which currently operates 12 (four 787-9s and eight 787-10s).

Conversion to the -10?

As reported by FlightGlobal, the airline said it might convert its additional 787-9 orders up to the 787-10 variant depending on demand, with the largest Dreamliner variant offering greater passenger capacity.

Photo: Edward Russell via Wikimedia Commons

The airline's first 787 deliveries are slated for 2025, with all 24 aircraft expected to arrive by 2028 - deliveries of the additional eight aircraft will begin from 2026. This is assuming the 787 program suffers no further setbacks that would impact delivery timelines, having already suspended deliveries for 15 months between April 2021 and August 2022 before another brief hiatus earlier this year. Having eclipsed Airbus in deliveries in March with 64 deliveries, Boeing fell behind its rival in April with only 26 (including six Dreamliners), far behind Airbus' total of 54.

The carrier's Dreamliners, powered by GEnx engines, will offer three cabin classes - business, premium economy and economy - and replace its aging Airbus A330-300 fleet on the airline's medium-haul network.

Efficient widebody fleet

Once its Dreamliners start arriving, China Airlines will boast one of the most efficient widebody fleets in the region - the 787 offers around a 25% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions compared to previous-generation aircraft, as well as 60% noise reductions.

Ihssane Mounir, Boeing Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, commented,

"The 787's superior fuel efficiency and range, combined with China Airlines' existing fleet of 777-300ERs, will enable the carrier to grow efficiently and also expand its global route network."

The carrier also operates 10 Boeing 777-300ERs and 14 Airbus A350-900s, along with its older fleet of 22 Airbus A330-300s, which is set to be phased out. According to Planespotters.net, its 777-300ERs have an average age of eight years, while its newer A350 fleet has an average age below six years.

Do you think China Airlines has made the right move by firming up its Dreamliner options? How does the Dreamliner compare to other widebody aircraft you have traveled on? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Sources: FlightGlobal, Planespotters.net