SAN FRANCISCO, March 12 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines has decided to buy 25 Boeing B787-9 aircraft, known as the Dreamliner, with an option for another five more aircraft from U.S. aerospace giant Boeing Company, Boeing said in a statement on Monday.

The firm order, which was first announced as a commitment last September and finalized Monday, will allow Turkey's flag carrier to further meet the growing demand at its home airport, Istanbul's third airport, and improve the flying experience for passengers, Boeing said.

With this purchase, Turkish Airlines becomes the 71st customer to buy the 787 Dreamliner, the fastest-selling twin-aisle airplane in Boeing history with total orders of 1,300 aircraft from Boeing's global customers.

"This firm order adds the 787 Dreamliner, one of the world's most state-of-the-art airplanes, to our ever-expanding fleet in 2023, our Republic's 100th year," said M. Ilker Ayci, Turkish Airlines chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee.

Turkish Airlines has continued to expand its fleet of Boeing airplanes and has recently bought three more 777 Freighters to grow its stable of 777 jets.

Since 2011, more than 640 Dreamliners have entered service, flying over 226 million people on more than 680 unique routes around the world, Boeing said.

The 787-9 model of a typical two-class configuration, which extends the Dreamliner family in capacity and range, can fly 290 passengers and up to 14,140 km.