China Eastern receives its first Airbus A350-900

China Eastern is the largest Airbus operator in Asia

China Eastern Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350-900 in Toulouse, becoming the latest operator of this efficient twin-engine widebody aircraft.

The Shanghai-based carrier now operates an Airbus fleet of 356 aircraft, including 306 A320 Family aircraft and 50 A330 Family aircraft (figures at the end of October 2018).

China Eastern is the largest Airbus operator in Asia and second largest in the world.

China Eastern’s A350-900 aircraft features a modern and comfortable four-class cabin layout of 288 seats: four first, 36 business, 32 premium economy and 216 economy. The airline will initially operate the new aircraft on its domestic routes, followed by flights to international destinations.

The A350 XWB Family is particularly well suited to the needs of Asia-Pacific airlines. To date, A350 XWB firm orders from carriers in the region represent over a third of total sales for the type.

The A350 XWB is an all-new family of mid-size widebody long-haul airliners positioned in the 300-400 seat category. The A350-900 and the A350-1000, and derivatives, are the longest-range airliners in operation, with a range capability of up to 9,700nm.

The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

At the end of October 2018, Airbus recorded a total of 890 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 47 customers worldwide.

About China Eastern

China Eastern Airlines (MU) is headquartered in Shanghai, China. It is China’s second-largest carrier by passenger numbers, operating international, domestic and regional routes.

Its main hubs are at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, with secondary hubs at Kunming Changshui International Airport and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.

Routes: The network covers China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, America and Oceania.

Aircraft: China Eastern operates more than 520 aircraft, from Airbus and Boeing, including:

  • 35 Airbus A319
  • 195 Airbus A320
  • 77 Airbus A321
  • 50 Airbus A330
  • 1 Airbus A350
  • 140+ Boeing 737
  • 20 Boeing 777
  • 1 Boeing 787

Alliance: SkyTeam . China Eastern and its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines became the 14th member of SkyTeam on 21 June 2011.

Numbers: In 2014, China Eastern Airlines carried 83.08 million domestic and international passengers with an average load factor of 73%.

N.B. Image credit: Airbus

Internet links

China Eastern (MU)

Airbus A350 XWB