China Airlines says 1st Boeing 787s to enter service in June 2026

Taipei, Oct. 26 (CNA) Taiwan-based China Airlines said it expects to receive its first Boeing 787 aircraft in the first quarter of 2026 and begin its operation June 2026 to Bangkok or Tokyo.

At a recent press event in Thailand, China Airlines President Chen Han-ming (陳漢銘) said that flight tests are being conducted on the company's Boeing 787s, and a total of three to five are expected to arrive in 2026.

The airline purchased 16 of the aircraft in August 2022 and ordered another eight in May 2023 as the main medium-capacity carrier for the next era. Among the 24 ordered 787s, six are the larger capacity 787-10s.

The first of the aircraft were initially expected to arrive in Taiwan in 2025, but the delivery was delayed.

Chen said that the airline will gradually replace the new aircraft for its aging Airbus A330s, which have been a subject of complaint for many travelers.

The airline has also purchased 10 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, which are expected to arrive starting in 2029, as well as ten 777-9s and four 777-8F cargo aircraft from Boeing, expected to arrive starting in 2030.

The Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9 planes will be used for long distance flights to North America or Europe.

China Airlines has also commissioned Airbus to upgrade the cabins of 15 of its A350 aircraft, with the new interiors set to be rolled out in 2027.