The first A350 XWB for China Airlines (CAL) has rolled out from cabin furnishing & engine installation at the Airbus Toulouse Final Assembly Line. The aircraft is now ready to proceed to further ground and flight testing. This first A350-900 for CAL is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2016. 

The Taipei-based carrier is scheduled to receive a total of four A350s in 2016, followed by six in 2017 and the remaining four in 2018. CAL is the fifth Asian airline to receive the new Airbus long-range twin, after Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and (in the next few days) Thai Airways.

China Airlines has 14 A350-900s on order. The aircraft is expected to be deployed on the carrier's long-haul routes to Europe and on selected regional routes. The A350-900 will join China Airlines' other Airbus fleet including A330s and A340s on its regional and long-haul services.

The aircraft are configured to carry 306 passengers in three classes: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 810 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 43 customers worldwide.