China Airlines Ltd. will spend up to $400 million to modernize the cabins of its Airbus A350 fleet, marking the carrier’s largest interior overhaul since introducing the aircraft in 2016.
The Taiwanese airline signed an agreement with Airbus SE in Hamburg to upgrade 15 A350s with new seats across all classes and enhanced in-flight entertainment systems. The renovation project will begin in 2027, with completion scheduled for 2028.
The overhaul comes as the carrier faces growing competition on long-haul routes to Europe, Australia, and North America. The airline currently deploys A350s on key routes including Frankfurt, London, and Los Angeles.
The company is also expanding its narrow-body fleet, with 14 A321neo aircraft already in service. Five more planes are expected in 2025, completing a 25-aircraft order by 2026. These single-aisle jets, featuring 12 lie-flat business class seats, serve regional routes to Japan, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong.
China Airlines’ General Manager Steve Kao said the current A350 electronic systems no longer meet consumer expectations, with some parts becoming obsolete despite the aircraft’s award-winning design.
