China Airlines Orders The Boeing 777X

China Airlines has confirmed a purchase of the Boeing 777X family, making it the first customer for the series in Taiwan.

The Chinese carrier has been a long-time customer of the American planemaker and flies the 777; now, it is returning for the next-generation iteration.

As part of the contract, China Airlines says it’ll purchase 10 of the 777-9 passenger planes. Notably, the smallest variant in the 777-8 remains absent from the deal.

Meanwhile, for its China Airlines Cargo division, it is purchasing the newly announced next-generation freighter, the 777-8F, which is expected to launch by the end of the decade. It has committed to four units.

This purchase was placed in March 2025 and was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s website’s orders and deliveries section. Now, China Airlines is being unveiled as the customer.

While the carrier has purchased 14 firm aircraft across its passenger and freighter divisions, it has options for nine more jets should it wish to activate these at a later date based on demand, the need for capacity, and overall performance.

These options include up to five more of the 777-9s and four more of the 777-8 freighters. China Airlines will join what Boeing describes as an exclusive club of some of the most reputable global airlines that have purchased the plane.

China Airlines said it was pleased to confirm this deal after much deliberation. It has been a long-time operator of the 777-300ER and 777 Freighter, so harnessing renewal efforts and eventually welcoming the 777X is the most logical decision.

The carrier confirmed that the aircraft will offer the best in-class flying experience for passengers onboard the 777-9. Meanwhile, a commitment to the freighter will strongly elevate its ability to develop its position in the air cargo market.

Boeing Experiences 777X Delays

Unfortunately for Boeing, it has not been smooth sailing for its 777X program since 2019, but these purchases are encouraging signs that airlines see past the delays.

Boeing was meant to enter its state-of-the-art 777X into service in 2020, but ultimately could not do that as the plane encountered issues, Boeing’s aircraft were on the ground, and a pandemic arose.

However, since that point over five years ago, the planemaker has encountered complex challenges that have pushed back the expected launch date on several occasions, leading to frustration program-wide.

Boeing confirmed in late 2024 that it would deliver the first 777X in 2026; however, as 2025 progresses, airline customers who expect the long-haul jet in the next 12 months supposedly are visibly struggling to see this taking shape.

Emirates has expressed its belief a delivery won’t occur until 2027 at best and is preparing for a worst case scenario internally that will not see it have its hands on the long-haul jet until 2028, eight years after what was first announced.