Airbus milestone: China Eastern takes delivery of its 50th A330

China Eastern Airlines took delivery of its 50th Airbus A330 jet last week in a ceremony in Toulouse, France.

"We are very happy to take delivery of this 50th A330. It symbolically represents our 30 years of partnership with Airbus," Ma Xulun, China Eastern's General Manager, said in a statement about the Friday event. "With high efficiency, high economic performance and unrivaled comfort, the A330 gives our passengers an unrivaled flying experience."

The Shanghai-based carrier operates one of the world's largest fleets of the popular wide-body jet. China Eastern took delivery of its first A330 in 2006.

The airline serves four destinations in North America plus Hawaii. Thanks to a recent tie-up with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, that number is expected to rise in the next few years.

Airbus' milestone number for the A330 with China Eastern mirrors the rising success that the European airplane maker has had with its A330 in recent years. Once considered to have had its best days in the past, the type has seen a resurgence in sales in the past decade.

Over 1,200 A330s have been delivered to date, according to Airbus, with another 1,500 on order.

The A330's improved prospects prompted Airbus to launch a revamped version of the jet in 2014. The update features new wings and other components. Dubbed the A330neo, the jet is aimed at competing with Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and 777 programs. It is slated to take its first flight in 2017.