ICAO C919

COMAC C-919

COMAC

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China's first domestically developed narrow-body jetliner.

First flight

2017

Category

Narrow-body jet

Seating

158–168 passengers (typical); up to 192 in high-density

Range

4,075 km

Engines

Two CFM International LEAP-1C turbofans

Status

In service

The COMAC C919 is a single-aisle, twin-engine commercial jetliner developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). Designed to compete with the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families, it represents China's most ambitious effort to enter the mainstream commercial aviation market with a domestically produced aircraft. The aircraft seats up to 168 passengers in a single-class configuration and is powered by CFM International LEAP-1C engines, a Western-sourced powerplant. Although the airframe is Chinese-designed, many key systems and components—including avionics, engines, and landing gear—rely heavily on foreign suppliers, a point of ongoing government focus to increase domestic content. The C919 received type certification from China's Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in September 2022 and entered commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in May 2023. It has accumulated a large order book, primarily from Chinese carriers and leasing companies.

Notable operators

China Eastern Airlines was the launch operator, with orders also held by Air China, China Southern Airlines, and various Chinese leasing companies.

Notable facts

›Received CAAC type certification in September 2022 after more than a decade of development.
›Entered commercial revenue service with China Eastern Airlines on 28 May 2023.
›Despite Chinese design, many systems rely on Western suppliers including avionics and landing gear.
›Has not yet received type certification from FAA or EASA, limiting it to Chinese domestic operations.
›COMAC reported an order book exceeding 1,000 aircraft, the vast majority from Chinese entities.