Taiwan-based carrier China Airlines has placed a firm order for five more Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft, following board approval in November 2025.
On December 18, 2025, Airbus confirmed that the China Airlines order is in addition to the purchase of 10 A350-1000s, signed in March 2025.
China Airlines already operates a fleet of 15 Airbus A350-900s, bringing the entire A350 fleet to 30 once the new A350-1000s arrive.
“Our investment in the A350-1000 supports our international growth strategy and reflects our commitment to improving the travel experience for our passengers. We are confident that the A350-1000, with its superior range, fuel efficiency and comfort, will play a key role in transforming our long-haul operations,” said Kao Shing-Hwang, Chairman of China Airlines.
A disclosure filed with the Taiwan Stock Exchange in November 2025 confirmed that the China Airlines board had approved a fleet plan to acquire up to 18 new Airbus and Boeing widebody jets and retire four 747-400 freighters.
The fleet plans included buying five A350-1000s, five Boeing 777-9s, four 777-8 freighters and two 777Fs. The airline said the total value of the package will not exceed $7.852 billion.
“We welcome China Airlines to our fast-growing family of A350-1000 operators. As an early adopter of the A350-900, China Airlines has played a pioneering role in embracing cutting-edge aviation technology. By choosing the A350-1000 Long Range Leader, the world’s most advanced long haul aircraft, China Airlines continues to elevate its fleet, bringing superior efficiency and comfort to the forefront of long-haul travel,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of Commercial Aircraft.
The new A350-1000s will fly long-haul routes to North America and Europe, complementing existing A350-900 operations.
The A350 family has received more than 1,360 orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 640 aircraft currently in the fleets of 38 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes.
The A350-1000 is around seven meters longer than the A350-900 and is able to carry an additional 60 passengers depending on the cabin configuration.