An In-Depth Analysis of China Eastern Airlines’ Fleet in 2023

China Eastern Airlines, a leading global airline, operates an extensive network from its primary hubs at Shanghai’s Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG) airports, as well as numerous secondary bases across China. With a fleet size that ranks among the world’s largest, the airline boasts 639 aircraft, according to data from ch-aviation.com. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the various aircraft types that make up China Eastern Airlines’ fleet.

Widebody Aircraft

China Eastern Airlines has a strong affinity for Airbus widebody aircraft, particularly the A330 series. The airline currently operates 55 A330s, divided between 30 A330-200s and 25 A330-300s. These aircraft have average ages of 10.4 and 8.9 years, respectively.

In addition to the A330s, the airline also operates 18 next-generation A350-900 models, which have an impressively low average age of 2.8 years. Furthermore, the airline has placed orders for two additional A350-900s, signaling its commitment to modernizing its fleet.

On the Boeing front, China Eastern Airlines operates aircraft from two widebody families. The airline has 20 Boeing 777-300ERs with an average age of 7.6 years. Additionally, it operates three Boeing 787-9s, averaging 3.8 years in age, and has seven more on order.

Narrowbody Aircraft

The Airbus A320 family constitutes a substantial portion of China Eastern’s narrowbody fleet, making up nearly 60% of the total fleet. The airline operates 35 A319-100s, 166 A320-200s, 104 A320neos, and 77 A321-200s. With pending orders for 38 more A320neos and 68 A321neos, this segment is poised for growth.

The Boeing 737 family plays a significant role in China Eastern Airlines’ narrowbody fleet. Despite grounding its 737-800s last year due to a fatal accident, the airline has successfully reactivated all 102 units, which have an average age of 8.2 years. The airline also operates 37 Boeing 737-700s with an average age of 11.9 years and has recently incorporated the next-generation Boeing 737 MAX 8, with three units in service and seven more on order.

Domestic Aircraft

China Eastern Airlines also operates a selection of domestically produced aircraft. The airline has 17 COMAC ARJ21-700s, which are relatively new, with an average age of 1.5 years. These aircraft are operated by OTT Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern. Additionally, the airline has recently begun incorporating COMAC C919s into its fleet, with three more units on order.

World’s First C919 logo on China Eastern C919 (Photo: Lei Yan)

Conclusion

China Eastern Airlines’ diverse and extensive fleet is a testament to its strategic planning and commitment to offering a wide range of services. With a balanced mix of widebody and narrowbody aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing, as well as a growing number of domestically-produced aircraft, the airline is well-positioned for future growth and expansion.

The airline’s focus on modernizing its fleet, especially with the next-generation Airbus and Boeing models, is a prudent move that will likely yield operational efficiencies and enhance passenger experience in the long run.

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Parth Jain

Parth Jain is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with a rich background in general and commercial aviation. Over the years, Parth has consistently demonstrated a deep fascination with the aviation industry, his interests spanning from the workings of small general aviation aircraft to the complexities of large commercial jets. Parth's interest in aviation sparked at a young age when he first set foot in an airplane. Since then, he has dedicated much of his time to gaining first hand experience, achieving his private pilot license and currently working towards his instrument rating. Parth's education and experience are a testament to his dedication and commitment to this field. As a private pilot, he has navigated complex airspace, developed an understanding of the intricate details of aircraft operations, and consistently demonstrated safe and proficient flying skills.

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