Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou) is planning to place an order with Boeing (BOE, Washington National) for thirty B787-9s the carrier said in a disclosure to the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The order, valued at USD7.7 billion at list prices, should see the jets delivered through to 2021.

The Chinese carrier says it would use the additional widebody jets to accelerate its international expansion with plans to increase existing connectivity to Europe and the United States while rolling out new destinations.

According to the ch-aviation route database, Hainan uses its current fleet of eight B787-8s on flights throughout China as well as to Boston, Chicago O'Hare, San José, US, Seattle Tacoma International and Toronto Pearson.