Comac Delivers First C919 To China Eastern Airlines

SINGAPORE—China’s state aircraft manufacturer Comac handed over the first C919 airliner to China Eastern Airlines on Dec. 9, marking the first customer delivery of the newly certified narrowbody.

The aircraft, registered B-919A, conducted a commemorative flight with 80 guests onboard from Shanghai Pudong International to Shanghai Hongqiao International as Flight MU919. 

China Eastern has configured its C919s in a two-cabin layout with 164 seats: eight in the business-class cabin and 156 in economy. All the seats are manufactured domestically in China. Made from an all-aluminum alloy frame structure, the business-class seat can recline 120 deg. and offers 1-m (39-in.) of legroom between the seat and the seat in front. 

Economy class seats are configured in the 3-3 layout. Comac says it has made the less-desired middle seats 1.5-cm (0.6-in) wider than the window and aisle seats, making it more comfortable for passengers. There is no seatback inflight entertainment system, but the airline has installed 20 full high-definition ceiling screens.

China Eastern is the launch customer of the C919, with five firm orders. Commercial service is expected to commence in early 2023 following 100 hr. of verification test flights. the remaining four C919s in China Eastern’s orderbook are scheduled for delivery in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023.

According to Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery, 698 C919s are on order, with an additional 105 on option. Following China Eastern, Air China is next on the list for deliveries, with two C919s set for the 2023 second quarter, and its remaining three for the 2023 third quarter. China Southern, with five C919s on order, will start receiving its new aircraft in the 2023 fourth quarter (Q4), with two scheduled for delivery, and the remining three set for Q1 2024. Hainan Airlines, which has 20 C919s on order, is slated to receive its first three new aircraft in Q1 2024, with the remainder to be delivered through Q4 2025.