China Airlines (CAL) announced today a major order for Boeing's new 777X airplanes, becoming the first Taiwanese carrier to acquire the latest-generation model. The deal includes 10 Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft and four 777-8 freighters, with options for five additional 777-9s and four 777-8 freighters. The order, which Boeing booked in March and was previously unidentified, will join an exclusive group of global airlines that have ordered both 777X variants.

Building on a long-standing experience with the Boeing -777/300ER and -777 Freighter, the carrier is leveraging the efficiency and increased capacity of the -777X to expand and enhance its long-haul routes to North America and Europe.

The Boeing -777-9, the world's largest twin-engine freighter, promises a 20 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions compared to the airplanes it will replace, as well as the lowest operating costs per seat in its class, with a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km). In a typical two-class configuration, it will accommodate up to 426 passengers, while offering a more spacious and comfortable cabin environment. Thanks to common operability with the company's current Boeing twin-engine freighters, CAl plans to renew its freighter fleet with the new -777-8 Freighter. The latter offers comparable cargo capacity to the B-747, but with a 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and emissions, and a noise footprint reduced by up to 60 percent.

With this order, the total number of Boeing -777Xs ordered by customers worldwide exceeds 520, supporting thousands of jobs at Boeing's Everett, Wash., site and throughout the supply chain. "In addition to these new -777Xs, China Airlines also has Boeing -787 Dreamliners on order that will further strengthen its world-class fleet for many years to come", said Dan Schull, Boeing vice president of commercial sales for Northeast Asia.