A Ribbon Cutting at Everett wouldn’t be complete without some Dragons right?
On a sunny Everett Friday morning, press, dignitaries & staff all gathered on the ramp outside the Everett Delivery Center. In front of us was a brand new 777-300ER and a giant red ribbon and two dragons. China Airlines is the newest airline to receive this twin jet and since this was their first of the type, a large ceremony was called for.
The first 777-300ER for China Airlines – Photo Kris Hull | Hull AeroImages
China Airlines has been a Boeing customer for over 50 years. Their first Boeing aircraft was the 727 which entered them into the era of flying internationally within Southeast Asia. Then in 1970 they added the Boeing 707, which allow them to begin transpacific flights to San Francisco.
Soon enough they were expanding and other North American destinations were added. The airline grew taking on 747s and eventually they had a fleet of 13 747-400s flying around the world.
In fact they were the final customer of the 747-400 in its passenger form, taking delivery of that aircraft (B-18215) on the 26th of April 2005. Fast forward nine years later and the airline is taking their newest Boeing aircraft, the 777-300ER.
A China Airlines 747-400 takes off from LAX, destination Taiwan. Photo: Mal Muir | AirlineReporter.com
“China Airlines has been a valued Boeing customer for over 50-years and we are honored to celebrate the milestone delivery of their first 777-300ER,” said Ray Connor, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The airline’s new 777-300ER represents the beginning of a new era for China Airlines and the people of Taiwan.”
Chairman of China Airlines Huang-Hsiang Sun said that over the past two years the airline has taken a brand new approach & philosophy to cabin design. The customers can feel, eat, see, smell & taste Taiwan. The cultural experience starts with the flight, even before arriving at the destination.
The airline has configured their new aircraft in three classes with 358 seats. Premium Business Class is the high-end product with 40 seats and a new Premium Economy class has 62 seats. Economy, in the back, has a total of 256 seats.
All three cabins were designed by the airline’s Chief Designer Ray Chen. The cabin design is meant to “reinterpret classic aesthetics through a taiwanese lens and encapsulate the airline’s brand essence and evolution.” All I can say to that is that the aircraft looks fantastic.
China Airline’s first 777-300ER on the ramp at the Everett Delivery Center
The business cabin is stylish with 40 seats across two cabins. Configured in a 1-2-1 layout, the B/E Aerospace Super Diamond seats have been customized to the airline’s choosing with deep purples and greys along with dark and light wood paneling. The wood can be found through out the cabin and it feels slightly reminiscent of bamboo.
The seats are all fully flat and the reverse herringbone set up allows all passengers direct aisle access while still providing plenty of privacy.
The New Premium Business Class on the 777-300ER is the B/E Super Diamond seat, seen here in the fully lie flat mode.
Premium Economy has a total of 60 seats set up in 2-4-2 configuration across the cabin and all feature 39” pitch. The seats are all fixed back so rather than reclining into the space behind you, the seat pan slides forward and you recline into the seat back.
A three-position foot & leg rest at each seat allows you to stretch out and enjoy the space. There was ample storage and this was one of the best Premium Economy products that I have seen — a sure fire winner in the market.
China Airline’s new Premium Economy class seat has a 39″ pitch and with a fixed seat back means you do not lose any of that 39″ as the person in front of you reclines.
Economy class is unfortunately in the very popular compressed format of 3-4-3. However utilizing the Zodiac Aerospace slimline seat does give a little bit of hope to those of us who spend most of their time flying in the back of the plane.
The biggest change in the economy section is 10 rows of the “Family Couch”. China Airlines has licensed Air New Zealand’s patented Skycouch format and they are the first airline in the world outside of New Zealand to offer it.
The Family Couch (this time targeted towards families with small children, not couples) is designed as a row of three economy seats that has a special leg-rest that turns the seats into an oversized lie-flat couch.
This gives families with small children the space and ability to keep children contained and rested on a long haul flight, which is a great way to keep not only the parents but other flyers happy.
The China Airlines’ Family Couch. Targeted at families with small children, China Airlines is the first airline outside of New Zealand to offer this set up.
All seats feature the new Panasonic eX3 entertainment system with touch screen TVs of varying sizes: 18” in Business, 12.1” in Premium & 11.1” in Economy. Wi-Fi is provided with the Panasonic connectivity package with prices beginning at $11.95 for an hour up to $21.95 for 24 hours (which isn’t all that bad). There are USB & power outlets throughout all cabins as well.
The standout feature of the aircraft is the new “Sky Lounge”. It is a bar area located in the doorway at 2L/R and the space is utilized to not only serve customers but also allow them to experience Taiwanese culture.
Guide books and other pieces of literature are on the sides of the lounge along with access to local Taiwanese snacks (I tried hard to resist the pineapple cake bites).
The area is covered in the same wood paneling found throughout the aircraft and a black polished entryway gives the Sky Lounge a refined and contemporary feel.
The Sky Lounge is a space that allows Business passengers to not only grab a snack but learn a little about Taiwan at the same time.
The first 777-300ER was delivered today, the 2nd is set to be delivered later in October and the third in November. The airline will first fly the 777 on short-haul flights for training and once ready, they will use the aircraft on flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco & New York. Eventually they will receive 10 777-300ERs allowing them to phase out their older 747-400s.
With a unique interior design & feature packed list of inclusions, the new 777-300ER looks like a good choice for China Airlines. It might not be a new aircraft type in the market, but it is assuring to see an airline so excited to get the aircraft type. It seems that they will make good use of it.
| | Malcolm Muir – Managing Correspondent Mal is an Australian AvGeek now living and working in Seattle. With a passion for aircraft photography, traveling and the fun that combining the two can bring. Insights into the aviation world with a bit of a perspective thanks to working in the travel industry. @BigMalX | BigMal's World | Photos |
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