| Comac C919 | |
|---|---|
 | |
.jpg) C919-100 STD of China Eastern, the type’s largest operator | |
| General information | |
| Type | Narrow-bodyjet airliner |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Comac |
| Designer | |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | China Eastern Airlines |
| Number built | 28 (including 6 prototypes) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 2015–present |
| Introduction date | 28 May 2023 with China Eastern Airlines[1] |
| First flight | 5 May 2017; 8 years ago (2017-05-05)[2] |
| Initiated | 2008; 17 years ago (2008) |
| In service | 2023–present |
TheComac C919 is anarrow-body airliner developed by Chinesestate owned aircraft manufacturerComac.The development program was launched in 2008 as a competitor to theAirbus A320 andBoeing 737. Production began in December 2011, with the firstprototype being rolled out on 2 November 2015; themaiden flight took place on 5 May 2017. On 29 September 2022 the C919 received itsCAAC type certificate. The first production airframe was delivered toChina Eastern Airlines on 9 December 2022 and was put into commercial passenger service on 28 May 2023.
The aircraft, primarily constructed withaluminium alloys, is powered byCFM International LEAP turbofan engines and carries 158 (8J + 150Y) to 168 (168Y) passengers in a normal operating configuration up to 5,555 km (3000 nmi; 3,500 mi). In 2023, COMAC announced that it would develop both a shortened and a stretched version of the passenger jet – similar to the sub-variants offered for the competingBoeing 737 MAX andAirbus A320neo family.
In the model number, theC stands for "Comac" and "China".[3] TheC also forms an "ABC" parallel situation withAirbus andBoeing.[4] The following 9 refers to longevity as per Chinese culture and the following 19 refers to the seat capacity of 190.
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The 2008 program launch initially targeted amaiden flight in 2014.[5] Comac applied for atype certificate for the aircraft from the Civil Aviation Authority of China on 28 October 2010.[6] At that time the company intended to manufacture up to 2,300 aircraft of the type.[7] In June 2011, COMAC and Irish low-cost airlineRyanair signed an agreement to co-operate on the development of the C919.[8] In 2012Airbus' chief strategistMarwan Lahoud assumed that the aircraft would offer competition to Airbus by 2020.[9]
On 24 November 2011, Comac announced the completion of the joint definition phase, marking the end of the preliminary design phase for the C919, with estimated completion of the detailed design phase in 2012.[10] Production of the first C919 prototype began on 9 December 2011.[11] The C919's aerodynamics were designed with the help of theTianhe-2 supercomputer.[12] The annual production was targeted at 150 planes by 2020.[13] Canada'sBombardier Aerospace started collaborating in March 2012 onsupply chain services,electrical systems,human interface,cockpit,flight training,flight-test support, sales, and marketing.[14]
Its announced development budget wasCN¥58 billion (US$9.5 billion) but its actual cost was estimated at well over CN¥125 billion (US$20 billion).[15] The first prototype was expected to complete final assembly in 2014 and perform its first flight in 2015;[16] however, delivery was delayed again until 2018 due to technical difficulties and supply issues.[17] At the November 2014 Zhuhai Airshow, it was announced that the first flight would be delayed to 2017.[18] On 2 November 2015, Comac rolled out its first C919 aircraft.[19][20][21]
In May 2018, the development of acomposite wing completed in 2012 was revealed years after abandoning it for a metallic one, as static and damage tolerance tests were completed, verifying the structural design and strength before full-size compositewingbox tests.[22]On 12 July, the static test aircraft simulated a 2.5g manoeuvre with a 150%ultimate load, bending the wings at the tips by nearly three metres for three seconds.[23]
According to a report from cybersecurity firmCrowdstrike and aUS Justice Department indictment, from 2010 to 2015 the Chinese cyberthreat actor Turbine Panda, linked to theMinistry of State Security'sJiangsu Bureau, penetrated a number of the C919's foreign components manufacturers includingAmetek,Capstone Turbine,GE Aviation,Honeywell,Safran, and others and stoleintellectual property and industrial process data with the aim of transitioning component manufacturing to Chinese companies.[24][25][26][27] The report stated that the operations involved both cyber intrusion and theft as well ashuman intelligence operations, in most cases using a piece of code custom written for this industrial espionage operation.[24][25][26][27]As of 2019, four people have been arrested in the US as a result of investigations into this economic espionage and theft of trade secrets.[27]
In November 2022, a federal jury in Cincinnati convicted Yanjun Xu, 42, on counts of conspiracy to commit economic espionage, conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, attempted economic espionage and attempted trade secret theft. The US court found that Xu played a key role in a plot to steal trade secrets from western aerospace firms, for the purpose of helping the C919 commercial airliner program. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.[28]
High-speed taxi tests by the first C919 prototype were completed in April 2017[29] and the first flight took place on 5 May 2017.[30][31] At the time, Comac had a planned test programme of 4,200 flight hours and introduction to service in 2020.[2] It was estimated that this could be delayed into 2021.[32]TheEuropean Aviation Safety Agency was meant to validate the Chinese type certificate.[33]The 4,200 hours of testing planned were higher than the 3,000 hours typically required for the Airbus or Boeing narrowbodies, but lower than the 5,000 hours needed for theARJ21.[34]
Comac had its second prototype ready on 28 July 2017, aiming to fly it within the year for engine, APU, fuel system and extreme weather tests.The flight-test plan included six aircraft.[35]On 28 September, it made its second flight at 10,000 ft (3,000 m), which lasted 2 hours 46 minutes, although it was supposed to last one more hour.[36]The five-month delay between first and second flights, while the second prototype was being ground-tested, was extraordinary: in 2013 theAirbus A350 flew again after five days and in 2015 the troubledMitsubishi MRJ flew again after eight days.[37]
On 3 November, it made its third flight in 3h 45min, reaching 3,000 m (9,800 ft).[38]It was transferred on 10 November from Shanghai toXi'an to continue its flight test program, a 2h 24min, 1,300 km (700 nmi; 810 mi) flight reaching 7,800 m (25,600 ft) and Mach 0.74 (825 km/h; 445 kn).[39]
The second prototype made its first flight on 17 December 2017. The flight test program allocated the first three prototypes for aircraft performance and engine and power systems testing, the fourth prototype foravionics and electrical system, and the fifth and sixth prototypes for passenger facilities, including the cabin and information system.[citation needed]
The delay between first and subsequent flights underlined the program immaturity by maiden flight: flying early at low speed and altitude is possible but faster and higher is limited byaeroelastic flutter needing ground vibration testing and aircraft instrumentation which were not ready in May.[40]Due to flight testing problems, the 2020 introduction previously scheduled was delayed to 2021, for China Eastern Airlines.[41]In February 2018, the first prototype was flying more than once a week.[42]
In June 2018,Aviation Week reported flight-test aircraft grounding for modifications, extending the schedule by three months but maintaining a 2020 certification target. The two prototypes needed theirflaps andtailplanes modified, due todelamination of thecarbon-fiber reinforced plasticelevators.[43]The third test aircraft was also being modified and maximum-ratepressurization was tested. As three other planes were available in 2019, Comac maintained first deliveries for 2021.[44]
Comac denied any grounding and highlighted that modifications were part of the flight test process, stating the two first aircraft were flying stability tests and checking systems. The first was calibrated and had its counterweight andtrailing cone systems modified while the second had its functions and systems checked. The third was in final assembly with its wing and fuselage joined, cables and systems were being installed for a first flight target by the end of the year.[45]On 12 July, the second prototype flew fromShanghai-Pudong toDongying Airport in 1h 46min to allow for various meteorological conditions testing.[23] In September, Comac expected to conduct 1,500 test flights for over 2,000 flying hours before the first delivery and planned to fly the third prototype before the end of 2018.[46]
In October 2018, the flight-deck design was re-evaluated to comply with USFAR Part 25.1302, which is not required byCAAC but would be needed forFAA certification in order to sell the aircraft outside China. Developing a Chinese engine to replace the CFM Leap-1C would take at least another 15 years.[47]At that time the two prototypes had flown less than 150 h, averaging less than 5 h per month each. To achieve certification in December 2020 and first delivery in 2021, the planned 4,200 h of flight tests would need 33 hours a month each if the last four prototypes are evenly spaced before year-end-2019. Newest airliner designs like theAirbus A350 needed a 2,600 hour test program, and theMitsubishi MRJ was expected to need 3,000 h.[48]
On 15 October 2018, ten Chinese nationals, including intelligence officials, were indicted by the US for allegedly working with COMAC to allegedly steal the secrets of thirteen foreign aerospace companies working on the C919.[49]
By the end of 2018, the first prototype was to enter flutter flight tests after having completed ground tests.[50]The third prototype made its maiden flight on 28 December for 1h 38 min.[51]
A fourth prototype conducted its maiden flight on 1 August 2019 fromShanghai Pudong International Airport.[52][31] A fifth prototype conducted its first flight on 24 October 2019, also from Shanghai airport; the fifth prototype was expected to test for extreme weather conditions, the environmental control system, drainage systems and electrical supplies.[53] Comac rescheduled its certification target from 2020 to 2021, with the first delivery the following year.[54][31]
The sixth and final prototype, intended for the flight certification program, completed its maiden flight on 27 December 2019. Reports at the time indicated that the C919 was expected to commence commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in either 2021 or 2022.[55]
On 27 November 2020, the C919 received itstype inspection authorization from theCAAC, meaning that "the aircraft design has been finalised and verified, and that no major changes can be made to its structure."[56]
After completing cold-weather testing in China'sInner Mongolia, the C919 was slated to conduct flight tests in naturalicing conditions fromLondon International Airport inOntario, Canada during March 2021. However, these tests may have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[57][needs update]
The C919 completed its first pre-delivery flight test at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Comac reported that the aircraft (B-001J, MSN107) successfully completed a 3-hour test session on 14 May 2022.[58] The aircraft, bearing the livery of China Eastern Airlines, was set to be delivered in 2022.[59] In May 2022, the heavily modified jet was listed for a price of 653 millionyuan (US$101 million), almost matching the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 737 MAX competitors, and twice the US$50 million price initially anticipated, albeit with composite wings.[60]
The airline flew a number of route-proving flights throughout 2022 to reinforce its viability on important segments. Many of the flights were flown between different Chinese cities. Around the same time, the first production aircraft, bound for China Eastern Airlines, started performing flight tests to ensure its preparation for commercial service. COMAC reported after the first flight that all pre-set tasks were accomplished successfully.[61] Plans foresaw that one C919 was to be delivered to China Eastern Airlines in 2022,[needs update] while the remaining four aircraft in the first batch of orders would be delivered in 2023.[62]
The aircraft received itsairworthiness certification from theCivil Aviation Administration of China on 29 September 2022[63] and the first operational airframe intended for commercial service was delivered to launch customer China Eastern Airlines on 9 December 2022 in Shanghai.[64]
The C919 aircraft delivered to China Eastern Airlines continued flying short test flights for most of January 2023, with a break from 20 to 28 January for the Lunar New Year celebrations.[citation needed] In February 2023, China Eastern Airlines' C919 flight-test verification program was delayed due to a malfunction in the jet's CFM International LEAP-1C engine's thrust reverser.[citation needed] On 7 May 2023, test flights resumed after a three-month break that had grounded the entire fleet of C919s; the airline continued to plan for passenger revenue-service to commence in spring 2023.[citation needed]
On 28 May 2023, COMAC C919 commercial service began with China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191 departing fromShanghai Hongqiao Airport and arriving atBeijing Capital Airport.[1]
On 29 May 2023, the C919 began routine flights MU9197 and MU9198 connecting Shanghai Hongqiao Airport andChengdu Tianfu Airport on a daily basis.[65][66]
China Eastern Airlines inducted a second C919 aircraft, registered as B-919C, with a formal reception taking place on 14 July 2023 at the flight test complex building of Zhuqiao base.[67]
In July 2023, it was announced thatSuparna Airlines, a Chinese airline owned by HNA, had signed a framework agreement withSPDB Financial Leasing valued at US$3.6 billion for leasing 30 COMAC C919 aircraft.[68]
On 20 September 2023, Brunei'sGallopAir said the C919 aircraft will undergo certification processes by Brunei's Department of Civil Aviation prior to delivery, which is forecasted to begin in the third quarter of 2024. Once certified, GallopAir would be the first operator of C919 outside of China and the first in Southeast Asia.[69]
From 12 to 17 December 2023, the C919 andARJ21 conducted static displays atHong Kong International Airport for the first time outside the Chinese mainland, and the C919 conducted a flight demonstration overVictoria Harbour on the 16th.[70][71]
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The C919 aircraft made its debut outside China, staging a fly-by at the pre-show of the 2024Singapore Airshow.[72] Also at the airshow, Comac announced an order fromTibet Airlines for 40 C919s. The high-altitude variant ordered will have a shortened fuselage and strengthened landing gear for short-field performance.[73]
In May 2024, about one year after the commencement of passenger revenue service, B-919A, the first delivered Comac C919 airframe, was subjected to "A-inspection" tests, a series of "deep level" safety inspections lasting four days; the parts tested included the aircraft's engines, landing gear, and cabin equipment. The inspections were conducted by China Eastern Airlines Technology, a subsidiary of the group that also owns China Eastern Airlines. The aircraft passed the battery of inspections.[74]
The type's first commercial flight outside of mainland China occurred on 1 June 2024. A C919 operated byChina Eastern Airlines was chartered to fly a group of students from Hong Kong to Shanghai for an exchange program.[75][76]
In September 2023, Comac Chairman He Dongfeng revealed, however, that shortened and extended variants of the C919 would also be built, covering a range from 130 to 240 seats.[citation needed]
On 17 December 2023, COMAC signed a deal withTibet Airlines to jointly develop the high-altitude version of the jet in order to serve passengers in the Tibetan-Himalayan plateau.[77] The shortened version of the C919 is anticipated to serve routes with high-altitude landing sites, with a typical seating range of 140 to 160 passengers.[78] It is designed to be capable of operating at all the high-plateau airports in China including the highest commercial airport in the world[78] —Daocheng Yading Airport (ZUDC/DCY) at 14,472 feet, which is only served by specially up-rated and modifiedAirbus A319-115 andA319-133 at this time.
In August, 2025, it is reported that the outer wingbox of the first C919-600 (MSN 00032), the shortened fuselage version, has been granted by CAAC Shanghai certification center of its airworthiness certificate. It is also the first structural component of the upcoming C919-600 to receive the approval.[79]
In September 2023, Comac Chairman He Dongfeng revealed that shortened and extended variants of the C919 would also be built, covering a range from 130 to 240 seats.[citation needed] The type is expected to enter service by 2030.[80]
Comac has been working with theEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) toward certification of the C919 aircraft since a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement came into effect in 2020. The company had initially hoped to obtain EASA certification by the end of 2025. However, according to an interview with EASA executive director Florian Guillermet in spring 2025, while the agency had been working with Comac for four years up till then, only two of those years had been productive. Guillermet expressed confidence that Comac would ultimately secure approval but estimated that certification would likely come between 2028 and 2031, a timeline of three to six years from 2025.[81][82]
Certification by EASA is seen as critical to the international success of the C919,[83] as most countries require commercial aircraft to be approved by major regulators such as EASA or the U.S.Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Comac is not currently[when?] pursuing FAA certification. Non-Chinese leasing companies and airlines have indicated they would require EASA or FAA validation before considering the aircraft for their fleets.[82] Guillermet noted in 2025 that while the certification process for Western-built aircraft typically takes one to two years following first flight, or about six months for validation under a bilateral aviation safety agreement (where one authority recognizes another's certification), such timelines generally apply to manufacturers with long-established relationships with EASA. He explained that EASA must assess the overall design and integration of the C919 before granting a type certificate and that validation tests and flight evaluations of the aircraft's design and certain components had yet to be completed in this case.[81]
The C919-100 is the baseline variant of the C919 family, the series has two variants: C919-100 STD and C919-100 ER.
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The baseline variant of the C919-100 series is designated "C919-100 STD", STD for standard. Equipped with two CFM InternationalLEAP-1C28 engines, each rated at 129.98kilonewtons [kN] (29,220 lbf) of maximum takeoff (MTO) thrust and 127.93 kN (28,760 lbf) of maximum continuous thrust (MCT).[84][85]
It is the most popular variant of the C919-100 series, with over 300 confirmed orders fromChina Eastern Airlines,China Southern Airlines andHNA Aviation.
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The extended range variant of the C919-100 series is designated "C919-100 ER". Equipped with two CFM InternationalLEAP-1C30 engines, each rated at 137.14 kN (30,830 lbf) of MTO thrust and 133.22 kN (29,950 lbf) of MCT.[84] Together with other improvements to enable a higher maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) and higher maximum taxi weight (MTW), therefore extends the payload envelope and its range capability.[85]
Noticeably the extended range capability is enabled by higher MTOW and potential structural strengthening, no auxiliary fuel tanks are fitted, therefore it remains the same fuel capacity as the standard (STD) version.[85]
Air China is the only confirmed C919-100 ER operator at the moment, with over a hundred orders in the order book.[86]
The C919-600 is the shortened fuselage variant of the C919 family, currently[when?] under development and just[when?] entered production phase.[79]
The shortened version of the C919 is anticipated to serve routes with high-altitude landing sites, with a typical seating range of 140 to 160 passengers.[78] It is designed to be capable of operating at all the high-plateau airports in China including the highest commercial airport in the world[78] —Daocheng Yading Airport (ZUDC/DCY) at 14,472 feet (4,411 m), which is only served by specially up-rated and modifiedAirbus A319-115 andA319-133 at this time.
The C919-800 is the extended fuselage variant of the C919 family, currently[when?] under development and expect to enter service by 2030.[80]
At its maximum, the extended fuselage variant would fit nearly 50 more passengers than the current variant, which can seat 156–192 people.[87]
The dimensions of the C919 are quite similar[citation needed] to those of theAirbus A320; itsfuselage is 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) wide and 4.166 metres (13.67 ft) high with a 12.915 square metres (139.02 sq ft) cross-section. This may allow for a commonunit load device to be used for both aircraft. It has a 33.6 metres (110 ft)wingspan (35.4 metres (116 ft) withwinglets).[88] The aircraft's intendedpayload capacity will be 20.4 tonnes. The design calls forcruise at Mach 0.785 (450 kn; 834 km/h) with an operatingceiling of 12,200 metres (39,800 feet). There will be two variants: the standard version with a 4,075 km (2,200 nmi; 2,532 mi) range, and a 5,555 km (2,999 nmi; 3,452 mi) extended-range version.[88]The C919 is a conservative design, deemed by analysts to be similar to the 30 year-old A320[40] and less efficient than the A320neo and 737 MAX.[89]
The center wing box, outer wing box, wing panels, flaps, and ailerons are planned to be built inXi'an, China; the center fuselage sections are planned to be built inHongdu, China.[90]Aluminium-lithium alloys account for 8.8% of the structure andcomposite materials for 12%.[91] The air frame will be made largely of aluminium alloy. Aircraft design and assembly is performed inShanghai.[92]
The wing is of asupercritical design, increasing aerodynamic efficiency by 20% and reducing drag by 8% compared to a non-supercritical wing.[93] The center wing box was originally intended to use carbon fibre composites.[7] It was changed later to an aluminium design to reduce design complications.[94]
The engine'snacelle,thrust reverser and exhaust system is provided byNexcelle, with such features as an advanced inlet configuration, the extensive use of composites and acoustic treatment and an electrically operated thrust reverser.[95]Michelin will supply Air X radial tyres.[96]Itsintegrated modular avionics architecture is based onEthernet.[40]Thelanding gear is made in China by a joint venture of Germany'sLiebherr andAVIC's Landing Gear Advanced Manufacturing Corp: Liebherr LAMC Aviation.[46]
While theairframe is entirely made byAVIC, some systems are sourced from a wide variety of international suppliers, similar to Airbus and Boeing. Most such components are sourced fromjoint-ventures with foreign companies located within China: withUTAS for the electric power, fire protection and lighting; withCollins Aerospace for thecabin systems andavionics, withThales for theIFE, withHoneywell for theflight controls,APU, wheels and brakes; withMoog for thehigh lift system; withParker for thehydraulics,actuators and fuel systems, with Liebherr for the landing gear andair management.
Very few components, such as theCFM International LEAP engine and Nexcelle nacelle, are entirely foreign imported.[97] It has been reported that COMAC is working on a plan to become more self-sufficient in terms of suppliers, with a long-term goal of replacing all US-export controlled components, due to American export restrictions affecting their ability to boost jet output.[98]
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Pratt & Whitney andCFM International each offered an engine for the aircraft in 2009, thePW1000G and theLEAP-1C, respectively;[99] the LEAP-1C was selected.[100]
The LEAP-1C family consists of two variants with different thrust ratings, LEAP-1C28 for the C919-100 STD and LEAP-1C30 for the C919-100 ER with higher MTOW. LEAP-1C30 has a slightly higher max take off thrust and max continuous thrust compared to the LEAP-1C28.[84]
In February 2020, Reuters reported that theUS government was considering blockingGE from selling the LEAP-1C engine to Comac, citing concerns that itstechnology could be stolen and put into the CJ-1000A engine being developed by the Aero Engine Corporation of China, the competition the C919 could present forBoeing, and military use of technology.[101] Then-PresidentDonald Trump tweeted opposition to blocking sales.[102] The US eventually granted GE a license to sell the engines in April 2020.[103]
The LEAP-1C shares a type certificate with the LEAP-1A.[104] The main difference between the two is the thrust reverser is integral to the engine on the -1C it is part of the aircraft system on the -1A.
In May 2025, the United States suspended the sale of LEAP-1C engines to China.[105]
TheAero Engine Corporation of China was tasked with developing an indigenous engine for the aircraft in 2009.[106] Assembly of the firstCJ-1000A engine was completed in 18 months in December 2017. The planned entry into service was 2021.[107] The engine first ran in May 2018 to 6,600 rpm core speed.[108]
In March 2023, reports emerged that the flight test campaign for the CJ-1000A engine had started on aXi'an Y-20 test aircraft.[109] According to experts and top executives from the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), at the beginning of March 2025 the development of the CJ-1000 was "progressing well" in trials, with the engine being able to power a C919 aircraft on verification flights "soon".[110][111]
The cabin has a 3-3 seat layout, which is typical among this class of aircraft like theAirbus A320 orBoeing 737. The middle seat in each 3-seat row is designed to be 1.5 cm wider than the window and aisle seat to provide better comfort for the passenger sitting in the middle.[112]
Currently[when?] seats in both business class and economy class are solely supplied by Chinese seat maker Jiatai aircraft equipment Co., Ltd ofAVIC cabin systems (ACS).Jiatai JT220B in business andJiatai JT220E in economy.[113] They both provide a wide range of different configuration choices for the customer, for example adjustable headrest, mobile device holder or USB socket.[113]
| Category | System | Supplier | Country | Product | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airframe | Body | AVIC | China | ||
| Cabin seats | AVIC Cabin Systems Jiatai | China | JT220B/E | ||
| Landing gear (main wheels) | Liebherr LAMC Aviation (Liebherr/AVIC joint venture) | Germany/China | [114] | ||
| Nose wheel | Honeywell Aerospace | U.S. | [115] | ||
| Brakes | Carbenix | [115] | |||
| Tyres | Guilin Lanyu Aviation Tyre | China | [116] | ||
| Avionics | Weather radar | ALRAC (Collins Aerospace/AVIC joint venture) | U.S./China | [117] | |
| Communication and navigation avionics | RCCAC (Collins Aerospace/CETCA joint venture) | U.S./China | [118] | ||
| Air data system | Honeywell Aerospace | U.S. | [115] | ||
| Aircraft flight control system | [115] | ||||
| Aircraft flight control system | Hongfei Flight Control | China | [119] | ||
| Inertial reference system | Honeywell Aerospace | U.S. | LASEREF IV | [115] | |
| In-flight entertainment system | Thales/CETCA joint venture | France/China | TopSeries | [120] | |
| Air management system | Liebherr | Germany | [114] | ||
| Flight management system | AVIAGE Systems (GE Aerospace/AVIC joint venture) | U.S./China | TrueCourse™ | [121] | |
| Flight recorder | [121] | ||||
| Integrated standby instrument system | [121] | ||||
| Onboard maintenance system | [121] | ||||
| Remote interface unit | [121] | ||||
| Power systems | Engine (LEAP) | CFM International (GE Aerospace/Safran joint venture) | U.S./France | LEAP-1C | [122] |
| Engine (CJ-1000) | Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) | China | CJ-1000A | [123] | |
| Auxiliary power unit | Honeywell Aerospace | U.S. | HGT750 | [115] |
In 2012 the C919 order book stood at 380 units worth US$26 billion,[124] and averaging $68.4 million per unit.FlightGlobal's Ascend market values in 2013 were $49.2 million for theAirbus A320neo, 51% less than its $100.2 millionlist price and $51.4 million for theBoeing 737 MAX-8, 49% less than its $100.5 million list price.[125]
The Chinese airlines that have placed orders for the C919 already have either theBoeing 737 orAirbus A320 in their fleets.[126] In 2013, Chinese state-owned newspaperGlobal Times complained that anAviation Week editorial about the bleak prospects for the aircraft "maliciously disparaged the future outlook for the C919".[127]
COMAC aims to take a fifth of the globalnarrowbody market and a third of the Chinese market by 2035.[5] It expects 2,000 sales until 2037.[128] TheFinancial Times commented that China considers the success of the plane a source of national pride.[129]
The newspaper also claimed in 2017 that the C919 was outdated by 10–15 years compared to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX 8, and would probably cost more to operate.[130]Its range of 2,200–3,000 nmi (4,100–5,600 km; 2,500–3,500 mi) fell short of the 3,400 and 3,550 nmi (6,300 and 6,570 km; 3,910 and 4,090 mi) of the A320neo and the 737 MAX 8; the C919payload-range and economics were similar to the current single-aisles, but would not be able to compete with the Neo and Max.
In 2018,FlightGlobal forecast a total of 1,209 deliveries: 687 standard and 522 stretched variants, 85% of these in China.[34] As of December 2024, all 16 operational C919 had carried more than one million revenue passengers.[131]
The 125% duty imposed by China in April 2025 on American imports to China, in retaliation for US President Trump's tariff hikes, significantly raised the cost ofBoeing jets being sold to Chinese airlines. Due to this financial burden, analysts believed that Chinese airlines might begin to lean stronger towards domestic alternatives likeCOMAC, or towardsAirbus planes.[132] In May 2025,Ryanair CEOMichael O'Leary said his airline might consider acquiring COMAC planes in lieu of their planned 737 MAX orders if the tariffs led to an increase in the price of Boeing planes.[133] In response, US lawmakerRaja Krishnamoorthi of theHouse Select Committee on the CCP asked O'Leary to retract his statements due to security concerns.[134][135]
In January 2023, COMAC said it wanted to expand its production capacity to 150 airliners per year within five years.[136] For comparison: Airbus built an average of 424 planes of theA320neo family per year in the nine years to February 2025.[137] In January 2025, the aircraft manufacturer stated that it hoped to deliver 30 planes in 2025 as it scales up its production, while in 2025 expanding general production capacity to a volume of up to 50 units per year.[138] However, due to US sanctions preventing the delivery of the Western-manufactured LEAP engines, COMAC delivered only five aircraft in the first half of 2025.[122][139]
The first C919 airframe intended for commercial service was delivered to launch customer China Eastern Airlines on 9 December 2022.[64] The second, third, fourth, and fifth airframes were delivered to China Eastern on 14 July 2023, 9 December 2023, 29 December 2023, and 2 March 2024 respectively, thereby completing China Eastern's initial order. A sixth aircraft was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on 28 May 2024.[140][141][142][143][144][excessive citations] The seventh and eighth aircraft for China Eastern Airlines were delivered to the company on 29 July 2024 and 30 September 2024 respectively.[145][146]Air China andChina Southern Airlines both received their first C919 aircraft on 28 August 2024.[147][148]
An airframe with registration number "B-658M" was delivered to COMAC's dedicated charter operator Comac Express[citation needed] sometime in March 2025.[citation needed] The fourth airframe for China Southern Airlines (with registration number "B-658N") was delivered on 30 April 2025.[citation needed]
| Airline | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| China Eastern Airlines | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
| China Southern Airlines | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4[citation needed] |
| Comac Express[citation needed] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[citation needed] |
| Annual Total | 1 | 2 | 13 | 10 |
| Total | 26 | |||
At the November 2010Zhuhai Airshow, Comac announced orders for 55 C919 aircraft from 6 airlines, with an additional 45 options. The purchasing airlines or lessors includedChina Eastern Airlines,Air China,Hainan Airlines,China Southern Airlines,CDB Leasing Company andBank of Communications Financial Leasing.[151] On 19 October 2011, ChineseICBC Leasing ordered 45 C919s and agreed to be the launch customer.[152] On 11 November 2014, Comac announced at the 2014 Zhuhai Airshow thatChina Merchants Bank's aircraft leasing division made a firm commitment for 30 C919s, and that total orders were now up to 450 aircraft.[153]
At the June 2015Paris Air Show, Ping An Leasing signed aletter of intent (LOI) for 50 C919s, becoming one of Comac's largest customers, andPuren Group signed a letter of intent for seven C919s and seven ARJ21s, intended for the start-up Puren Airlines.[154] In November 2016 COMAC received an order for 20 C919s including 5 firm fromShanghai Pudong Development Bank Financial Leasing and for 36 C919s fromCITIC Group Financial Leasing including 18 firm.[155] While no down payments for the order were needed before C919's maiden flight, 500,000 yuan ($76,000) nevertheless were deposited subsequently for each of the firm order.[156] The 5 December 2017ICBC Leasing order for 55 brought the order book to 785.[157]
In February 2018, the total order book for the C919 stood at 815, prior to the order for 200 fromHNA Group in June 2018 which also included an order for 100ARJ21s.[158] By August 2018,FlightGlobal counted 305 orders plus 45 options and 658 LOIs: 1008 commitments.[34]
In January 2023, COMAC reported having received more than 1,200 orders.[136] In September 2023, it was reported, however, that C919 orders had reached 1,061.[159]
On 20 September 2023,Brunei GallopAir placed an order worthUS$2 billion for 15 units of C919 and 15 units of ARJ21 jets. Once completed, this would make Brunei GallopAir the first non-Chinese & Southeast Asian operator of C919.[160] In a stock exchange filing on 26 April 2024,Air China said that it had ordered 100 C919 aircraft, which would be delivered between 2024 and 2031, thereby adding another high-profile customer for the narrowbody programme.[159]
On 21 November 2024, Chairman ofHong Kong Airlines, Yan Bo was reported to have told Hong Kong-based media that the airline is in plans of acquiring Comac's C919 aircraft following 12 months of sustained fleet growth and the resumption of long-haul flights especially toNorth America.[161]
| Customer | Orders | Options |
|---|---|---|
| ABC Financial Leasing | 65 | 10 |
| Air China | 105[163] | 15 |
| AVIC International Leasing | 15 | 15 |
| Bank of Communications Financial Leasing | 30 | — |
| BOC Aviation | 20 | — |
| CCB Financial Leasing | 50 | — |
| CDB Leasing | 10 | — |
| China Aircraft Leasing Co. | 20 | — |
| China Eastern Airlines | 105[164] | 15[165][166] |
| China Huarong Financial Leasing | 30 | — |
| China Southern Airlines | 100 | 15 |
| Citic Financial Leasing | 18 | — |
| GallopAir | 15 | — |
| Hainan Airlines | 60[167] | — |
| Hebei Airlines | 20 | — |
| Huabao Leasing | 15 | 15 |
| ICBC Financial Leasing | 100 | — |
| Industrial Bank | 20 | — |
| Lao Airlines | 2[168] | — |
| Nuclear Construction Financial Leasing | 20 | 20 |
| Ping An Leasing | 50 | — |
| Sichuan Airlines | 20 | — |
| Suparna Airlines | 30 | — |
| SPDB Financial Leasing | 5 | 15 |
| Tibet Airlines | 40[73] | — |
| Total | 965 | 120 |
| Customer | Firm orders | Options LOI/MOU | All | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Linhas Aéreas[169] | ||||
| Garuda Indonesia[170] | 15–20 | 15–20 | Sometime between December 2024 and January 2025 | |
| AirAsia[171] | ||||
| Air Borneo[171] | ||||
| Air Karachi[172] | ||||
| Ryanair[173] |
| Customer | Firm orders | Options LOI/MOU | All | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy Air | 20 (LOI) | 20 | 27 April 2025 | |
| City Airways[a][175] | 10 (MOU) | 10 | 16 September 2015 |
| Airline | Country | Photo | Deliveries | Model | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China |  China | .jpg) | 5 | C919-100 ER[86] | [147] |
| China Eastern Airlines | .jpg) | 11 | C919-100 STD[citation needed] | [146] | |
| China Southern Airlines | _taking-off_from_CGO_03.jpg) | 6 | C919-100 STD[citation needed] | [147] |
| Variant | C919-100 STD | C919-100 ER |
|---|---|---|
| Cockpit crew | 2 pilots | |
| Seats | 158 ((8J + 150Y)) to 192 (1-classHD)[176] | |
| Cargo capacity | 45.2 m3 (1,600 cu ft) | |
| Length | 38.9 m (127 ft 7 in) | |
| Wingspan | 35.8 m (117 ft 5 in) | |
| Wing area | 129.15 m2 (1,390.2 sq ft) | |
| Height | 11.95 m (39 ft 2 in) | |
| Fuselage height | 4.166 m (13 ft 8.0 in) | |
| Fuselage width | 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in) | |
| Maximum payload | 18,900 kg (41,700 lb) | |
| OEW | 45,700 kg (100,800 lb) | |
| MTOW | 75,100 kg (165,600 lb) | 78,900 kg (173,900 lb) |
| Fuel capacity | 24,917 L (6,582 US gal) | |
| Engines (×2) | CFMI LEAP-1C28 | CFMI LEAP-1C30 |
| Fan diameter | 78 in (198 cm) | |
| Max. takeoffthrust | 130.0 kN (29,220 lbf)[84] | 137.1 kN (30,821 lbf)[84] |
| Max. cont. thrust | 127.93 kN (28,760 Ibf)[84] | 133.22 kN (29,949 Ibf)[84] |
| Cruise | Mach .785 (453 kn; 838 km/h; 521 mph) | |
| Range (STD PL) | 4,139 km (2,235 nmi; 2,572 mi) | 5,576 km (3,011 nmi; 3,465 mi) |
| Ceiling | 12,100 m (39,800 ft)[177] | |
| Takeoff (MTOW,ISA) | 2,052 m (6,732 ft) | 2,125 m (6,972 ft) |
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