Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse, becoming the latest operator of the twin-engine widebody aircraft. The carrier now operates an Airbus fleet of 356 aircraft, including 306 A320 Family aircraft and 50 A330 Family aircraft (as of end-October 2018).

China Eastern — the largest Airbus operator in Asia and the second largest in the world — ordered 20 A350-900s in April 2016.

The carrier's A350-900 aircraft features a four-class cabin layout of 288 seats: four first, 36 business, 32 premium economy and 216 economy. The airline will initially operate the new aircraft on its domestic routes, followed by flights to international destinations, including Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Vancouver and Sydney.

As of the end of October 2018, Airbus had recorded a total of 890 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 47 customers worldwide, making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever. A350 XWB firm orders from carriers in the Asia-Pacific region represent over one third of total sales for the type.