China Airlines firms up order for 4 B777-8Fs, with options for 4 more
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.;
Boeing and the Taiwan-based airline China Airlines (CI) today announced the carrier as the newest 777X customer with an order for four 777-8 freighters and 10 777-9 passenger aircraft.
In addition to the firm order, which was booked in March 2025 and was posted as unidentified on Boeing's orders and deliveries website, the airline has options to purchase four 777-8 freighters and five 777-9s.
This follows China Airlines' announcement in December 2024 about its plans to order ten B777-9 passenger aircraft and four B777-8F freighters.
“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. With this order, China Airlines joins an exclusive group of global airlines that have ordered the passenger and freighter variants of the 777X family,” reads the boeing release.
"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 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."
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."
"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.