China Airlines inks Airbus order for 10 A350-1000 jets

Deliveries are expected to commence in 2029.

CAL will deploy the new A350-1000 fleet of aircraft on long haul routes to North America and Europe, such as New York and London

The signing ceremony was jointly officiated by CAL Chairman Kao Shing-Hwang and Airbus Executive Vice President of Commercial Aircraft Sales Benoit de Saint-Exupery at the Hyatt Regency Taoyuan.

The ceremony was also attended by CAL President Chen Han-Ming and Administrative Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Kuo-Shian.

The firm order for ten aircraft also includes options for five more.

Additionally, CAL will start upgrading the cabins aboard its existing fleet of A350-900 aircraft in 2027.

Airbus has been commissioned to provide technical services for the cabin retrofit.

Benoit de Saint-Exupery, Airbus Sales EVP, said: “We welcome China Airlines to our fast-growing family of A350-1000 operators. As an early adopter of the A350-900, CAL has embraced cutting-edge aviation technology.”

The new A350-1000 fleet will retain CAL’s three-class configuration of Premium Business, Premium Economy, and Economy class.

The upgraded inflight experience will offer a more spacious cabin, and a quieter flying environment, it says.

The A350-1000 is fitted with the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engine which offers more fuel efficiency with carbon emissions reduced by up to 25%.