China's Xiamen Airlines has finalized an order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliners to expand its long-haul international service, the companies announced Monday.

Xiamen initially announced its intention to buy the 787-8s, Boeing's high-tech, fuel-efficient jetliners, in May 2011.

The order is worth $1.3 billion at list prices.

Xiamen is China's only airline with an all-Boeing fleet.

Based in the city of Xiamen on the southeast China coast in Fujian Province, the airline currently serves southeast and northeast Asia.

But with the introduction of the 787 Dreamliners beginning in 2014, Xiamen Airlines said it planned to launch new long-haul routes from Fujian to Europe, North America and Australia.

"Adding 787s to our all-Boeing fleet is a strategic decision to facilitate our international expansion plans," Che Shanglun, president and chief executive of Xiamen Airlines, said in a statement.

"The range and efficiency of the 787 makes it an ideal fit in our new, non-stop international routes."

Founded in 1984, Xiamen Airlines has booked profit for 27 consecutive years. It currently operates a fleet of 97 Boeing airplanes.

It is a member of SkyTeam, the global airline alliance that includes Air France, KLM, Alitalia and Delta.

Boeing shares were up 0.8 percent to $106.23 in afternoon trade in New York.