Boeing delivers first 777-300ER jet to China Eastern

Boeing said it delivered the first of 20 777-300ER jets to China Eastern Airlines on Thursday.

The new jet features three cabins and 316 seats including six first class seats, 52 business class seats and 258 economy seats.

Starting November, the carrier will deploy its first such jet on services to Los Angeles and New York.

"The delivery not only marks a milestone in the long-standing business relationship between China Eastern and Boeing, but also signals the modernization of our world-class fleet and the enhancement of the competitiveness of our trans-Pacific routes," said Liu Shaoyong, the airline's general manager.

The company will open new air routes between China and North America, which will be its major market over the next three years.

Moreover, it plans to increase flights operating on existing routes from Shanghai to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto.

Headquartered in Shanghai, China Eastern is one of the three major airlines on the Chinese mainland. It serves nearly 80 million travelers annually.