China Eastern Airlines is adding the first long-range Boeing jets to its fleet.
Boeing announced Friday that the airline is ordering 20 of its popular 777-300ER jets. That order is subject to government approval.
It would raise Boeing’s sales of the 777 to 26 aircraft for the year so far.
At the $298.3 million list price for the 777-300ER, the order would total nearly $6 billion. Most large orders, however, earn airlines substantial discounts off the company’s list prices.
China Eastern now flies single-aisle, medium-range Boeing 737s in its fleet but no long-range Boeing jets.
The Chinese carrier has Airbus A330s and A340s in its fleet to handle long-haul duties.
The A340, a four-engine jet, is being replaced by many world airlines with the 777 because of the A340’s relatively high fuel consumption.
In a typical seating configuration, the 777-300ER can carry 365 passengers more than 9,000 miles nonstop.
The planes will be built in Boeing’s wide-body assembly plant in Everett.
John Gillie, john.gillie @thenewstribune.com
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