OREANDA-NEWS. October 31, 2012.   Boeing (NYSE: BA) today delivered a 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplane to Air China, the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China. The airplane livery features a distinctive blended paint design of 40 smiling faces of Chinese people, to represent the critical role that the Chinese aviation industry has played in bringing China to the world.

The 40 people portrayed were selected from a social media campaign organized by Air China and Boeing in July 2012. People were invited through the most widely used social media platform in China to submit a smiling face with an inspiring message. 

"We hope this special-livery airplane will bridge the connection to bring a smiling, confident and friendly China to the world," said Feng Run E, vice president of Air China. "With the airplane flying around the world, we hope more business travelers will experience the super flight comfort offered by Air China's 777-300ER."

The airplane is the 10th of 19 777-300ERs Air China has on order with Boeing. Air China will use the airplanes for route expansion, including direct routes to Frankfurt, London and Paris.

"Boeing is celebrating its 40th anniversary in China. Over the past four decades, we have witnessed the rapid development of China's aviation industry and we're honored to be part of its success by providing our best products and services," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales for Greater China, Japan and Korea, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We look forward to carrying on this great tradition of growth and development over the next 40 years."

To date, 63 customers around the world have ordered 1380 777s.

Air China, a member of the Star Alliance, is the only flag carrier of People's Republic of China. It currently owns 167 Boeing airplanes, making up 55 percent of its fleet.