A350/787 in China: Airbus and Boeing book more orders, Sichuan Airlines to be first A350 operator

Since a number of orders placed over the past 15 months, Airbus' A350 has narrowed the gap with mainland Chinese airlines compared to Boeing's 787. Yet the 787 is still outselling the A350 nearly two to one: in service, and on order, 787s total 136 (with five options), compared to 71 for the A350. A handful of smaller airlines, without widebody experience so far, have ordered next generation widebodies, so there is a risk that some orders may not eventuate - or airlines will be merged, and orders consolidated.

Only three airlines - all state-owned, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern - have ordered both the A350 and 787.

While the first of a new aircraft type typically goes to a state-owned airline, and often Air China, it appears Sichuan Airlines will be the first in mainland China to receive the A350. The A350 will enable Sichuan to open nonstop services to North America, potentially in competition with Hainan Airlines.

At the same time, China Eastern is deciding how to allocate its overlapping fleet of A350s and 787s.