China Airlines Announces Order for Six Boeing 777-300ERs

China Airlines Boeing 747

China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest airline, has announced an order for six Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The order is valued at approximately $2 billion, and the planes will become the first 777s to join the airline’s fleet.

The news came several days after China Airlines announced it plans to lease four Boeing 777-300ERs from GE Capital Aviation Services.

China Airlines is currently updating its long-haul fleet with new aircraft, which includes Boeing 747-400s which are less economical to operate. The airline plans to introduce its 777s on new transpacific flights between Asia and North America starting in 2014.

The Boeing 777, which first entered service in 1995, is the world’s largest twinjet aircraft.  Over 1,000 have been built and it was the first aircraft to be entirely designed by computer. According to Boeing, it is 19% lighter than its closest competitor and, per seat, produces 22% less carbon dioxide and costs 20% less to operate. In 2011, Boeing received 200 orders for the aircraft.