China Eastern Airlines made headlines in May 2023 when it officially launched the COMAC C919 into commercial service, signifying a remarkable milestone for China’s aerospace industry. With this move, China entered the competitive market of narrow-body aircraft, challenging the dominance of popular models like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families.
The COMAC C919, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), had a long journey from its initial announcement in 2008 to its first flight in May 2017. After several delays and rigorous testing under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the aircraft finally obtained its Type Certificate (TC) in September 2022.
The delivery ceremony took place in December 2022, as China Eastern Airlines became the first commercial carrier to integrate the C919 into its fleet. However, before offering commercial flights to passengers, the airline diligently tested the Chinese-made jet for safety and efficiency.
Initially scheduled to operate flight MU9192 between Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) on February 28, 2023, the C919 faced some delays. However, in May 2023, after completing further test flights, the narrow-body jet began its commercial service on the Shanghai-Beijing route.
An analysis of the aircraft’s flight history reveals that China Eastern Airlines is not fully utilizing the C919, with a maximum of just two flights per day. In contrast, other aircraft flying the same routes, such as the A320neo, operate more frequently, with up to five daily flights.
Despite the aircraft’s lower utilization, there is a significant buzz surrounding the C919’s debut among both Chinese and Western observers. Notably, some Western aviation enthusiasts were onboard China Eastern Airlines’ initial C919 flights, sharing their experiences and praising the comfort of the aircraft.
Adding to the excitement, a second C919 aircraft joined China Eastern Airlines’ fleet on July 16, 2023. The airline expects to receive four more C919s by the end of 2023, according to its 2022 financial report.
Overall, the COMAC C919’s introduction into commercial service represents a major step forward for China’s aviation industry, with the promise of more advancements on the horizon.
