Following in the footsteps of Scoot, China Airlines has also unveiled a special Pokémon-livery on one of its aircraft. With this Airbus A321neo B-18101 (10730), the airline will offer special themed Pokémon-flights as well as deploy it on its regular services. The Airbus operated its first flight in its new livery on 30 September out of Taipei-Taoyuan International on 30 September.
The A321neo is one of eight the airline operates in the fleet, which also consists of 22 Airbus A330-300s, fourteen A350-900s, twelve Boeing B737-800s, eighteen B747-400Fs, four B777Fs and ten B777-300ERs.
Air Lease Corporation Announces Delivery of First of Six New Airbus A321-200neo Aircraft to China Airlines
LOS ANGELES, California, November 29, 2021 – Today Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL) announced the delivery of one new Airbus A321-200neo aircraft on long-term lease to China Airlines. Featuring Pratt & Whitney PW1133G-JM engines, this is the first of six new A321-200neos confirmed to deliver to the airline from ALC’s orderbook with Airbus. This aircraft is the first A321neo to deliver to China Airlines.
“ALC is honored to be the first to introduce the A321neo to our long-time customer China Airlines. The A321neo will become the backbone of China Airlines’ single-aisle fleet, providing fleet expansion and modernization, and elevation of their passenger experience to new levels. The greater fuel efficiency and operating flexibility of the A321neo will also maximize profitability and further China Airlines environmental sustainability goals,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About Air Lease Corporation (NYSE: AL)
ALC is a leading aircraft leasing company based in Los Angeles, California that has airline customers throughout the world. ALC and its team of dedicated and experienced professionals are principally engaged in purchasing commercial aircraft and leasing them to its airline customers worldwide through customized aircraft leasing and financing solutions. ALC routinely posts information that may be important to investors in the “Investors” section of ALC’s website at www.airleasecorp.com. Investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult the ALC website regularly for important information about ALC. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, ALC’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.
About China Airlines (http://www.china-airlines.com)
China Airlines was established in 1959 and the CAL Group is currently operating a fleet of 107 aircraft. As one of the 19 members of the SkyTeam Alliance, China Airlines is the largest airline in Taiwan in terms of service frequency and size, with more than 12,000 employees worldwide. China Airlines offers passengers access to an extensive global network of more than 15,445 daily flights to 1,036 destinations in 170 countries. China Airlines is continuing to promote superior aviation safety as well as eco-friendly, innovative and attentive services that provide travelers with the perfect travel experience. Recent major international and domestic awards received by China Airlines include: 7/7 Safety Rating from Airline Ratings in Australia, the Taiwanese civil aviation industry’s top Golden Flyer Award, Best of the Best Red Dot Award, iF Design Award, Good Design Award from Japan, TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Major Airline Asia, and the APEX Award for Publication Excellence for the Dynasty inflight magazine. The annual China Airlines brand commercial won awards at AD Stars, 4A Creative Awards, Times Advertising Awards, and a London International Awards’ Chinese Creativity Award.
China Airlines Takes Delivery Of Its First Airbus A321neo
China Airlines has joined the ranks of Airbus A321neo operators, taking its delivery of its inaugural A321neo on Wednesday. The jet is the first of 25 A321neos the Taipei-based airline has on order. The sparkling new plane departed Hamburg on Wednesday and is now in Dubai enroute to Taipei.
China Airlines has just taken delivery Of its first Airbus A321neo. Photo: Airbus
The China Airlines A321neo a replacement for Boeing 737-800s
After arriving at its new home, the Airbus will undergo preparation and certification before flying its first passengers. China Airlines says the A321neo will progressively replace older Boeing 737-800 aircraft on routes throughout Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and cross-strait flights. The new jets will be able to fly on routes of up to seven hours from Taipei.
China Airlines has a mixed fleet of 85 aircraft, however, that includes quite a few Boeing 747-400s dedicated to freight operations. Ferrying around passengers are 23 Airbus A330-300s, 14 Airbus A350-900s, and 17 Boeing 737-800s.
China Airlines’ A321neo under construction in Hamburg earlier this year. Photo: Airbus
The Boeing 737s only have an average age of 8.1 years (only two 737s have hit double figures – B-18615 at 19.4 years and B-18612 at 21.1 years) but China Airlines is phasing the narrowbodied Boeings out. The new kid on the block, the A321neo will form the “core” of China Airlines’ narrowbody fleet and benefit from cockpit commonality with the airline’s existing A330 and A350 aircraft.
The ferry flight to Taipei is using 10% sustainable aviation fuel which China Airlines says will see a 8% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional jet fuel.
.First A321neo comes via Air Lease Corporation
China Airlines’ first A321neo, B-18101, arrives on lease from Air Lease Corporation. Fourteen of the A321neos will land under lease packages while 11 will come straight from Airbus. Air Lease Coporation is handling the leasing of six of the jets.
“ALC is honored to be the first to introduce the A321neo to our long-time customer China Airlines,” said John Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation.
“The A321neo will become the backbone of China Airlines’ single-aisle fleet, providing fleet expansion and modernization, and elevation of their passenger experience to new levels. The greater fuel efficiency and operating flexibility of the A321neo will also maximize profitability and further China Airlines environmental sustainability goals.”
The main cabin inside China Airlines’ new Airbus A321neo aircraft. Photo: China Airlines
China Airlines upgrades its narrowbody inflight experience
China Airlines’ newest plane is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines and seats 180 passengers in a two-class layout. Those 180 passengers will enjoy a significant upgrade in the cabin experience compared to the older generation Boeing 737s.
Upgrades include Premium Business Class with fully-flat seats, control of the personalized entertainment system via a passenger’s mobile phone, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi and a mobile App with free text messaging via choice of Line, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, Apple iMessage, WhatsApp, Viber and Line2.
Fully-flat premium business class seats developed for widebody passenger aircraft remain relatively uncommon on narrowbody aircraft but that’s what China Airlines is installing on their A321neos. There will be 12 business class seats that convert to a lie-flat bed – albeit in a 2-2 configuration rather than the industry-leading 1-1 layout.
In the main cabin, things are a little more business as usual, with 168 passengers seated in the standard 3-3 configuration. Still, there are some consolations, such as a 13.3” 4K high-resolution seatback inflight entertainment screen, factory fresh seats, and a crisp clean cabin.
The new China Airlines Airbus A321neo is due to land in Taipei on Friday, December 2.
