The COMAC C919 is part of China’s bid to become a major player in the large airliner manufacturing market. The state‑owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) was established in Shanghai on 11 May 2008 with this mission in mind.
The manufacture of large airliners is one of the most technologically challenging industries in the world. The fact that Boeing and Airbus have dominated this space for decades is testimony to their expertise and their ability to withstand the school of hard knocks.
The C919 is the largest commercial airliner ever designed and built in China. It is a twin‑engined narrow‑body jet positioned to compete directly with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. This is a lucrative market segment that Boeing and Airbus fight over vigorously, as these aircraft form the backbone of low‑cost carrier fleets worldwide.
Filling the 158–174 seat market, the C919 is the first phase of China’s plan to supply one‑third of the world’s large airliner needs. COMAC intends to offer solutions for every segment of the jet transport market. Plans are already in place for the larger C929 (300 seats) and C939 (400 seats).
Shanghai is the central point for the design and production of the C919. As with Airbus and Boeing, many components are manufactured by other entities across China. For example, flaps, ailerons, wing panels, and wing box structures are produced in Xi’an, while fuselage sections are built in Jiangxi Province.
These parts are transported to Shanghai for final assembly. Most of the C919 airframe uses aluminium alloys, while the centre wing box incorporates carbon‑fibre composite materials.
At‑a‑Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) |
| Role | Narrow‑body commercial airliner |
| Seating Capacity | 158–174 passengers (typical 2‑class) |
| Engines | Certified: CFM LEAP‑1C Target (future): ACAE CJ‑1000A (Chinese‑developed) |
| Range | Certified: ~2,200 nm (China Eastern operational data) Target: 2,500–3,000 nm depending on variant |
| Cruise Speed | Certified: Mach 0.78 Target: Mach 0.79 |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) | Certified: ~72,500 kg Target: 77,300 kg (high‑gross variant) |
| Dimensions | Length: 38.9 m Wingspan: 35.8 m Height: 11.95 m |
| First Flight | 5 May 2017 |
| Certification | CAAC Type Certification — 29 September 2022 |
| Entry Into Service | 28 May 2023 (China Eastern Airlines) |
| Planned Variants | Baseline Stretched Shortened Freighter Business Special Missions |
| Future COMAC Program | C929 — 300 seats (joint development with CRAIC) C939 — 400 seats (long‑term concept) |
Development Timeline
The development of the COMAC C919 represents China’s most ambitious commercial aviation project to date. The program was created to establish a domestic alternative to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families, reduce reliance on foreign aircraft, and build a foundation for future wide‑body programs such as the C929 and C939.
The timeline below outlines the major phases of the C919’s development, from program launch to certification and early production.
Program Origins
China’s desire to build a large commercial airliner dates back to the 1970s, but the modern push began in the early 2000s. In 2008, the Chinese government formally established COMAC in Shanghai to lead the nation’s commercial aircraft ambitions. The C919 was announced as the first major project, intended to compete directly in the lucrative single‑aisle market.
Concept & Design Phase (2008–2011)
COMAC began the conceptual design of the C919 shortly after its formation. The aircraft was planned as a modern narrow‑body jet with fly‑by‑wire controls, advanced avionics, and a global supply chain similar to Airbus and Boeing.
During this phase, COMAC signed a six‑month cooperation agreement with Ryanair. The partnership allowed COMAC to incorporate operational feedback from a major low‑cost carrier, influencing cabin layout, turnaround efficiency, and maintenance considerations.
By late 2010, COMAC submitted its application for type certification to the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), marking the transition from concept to formal development.
Supplier Selection & Industrial Partnerships (2010–2013)
COMAC adopted a global sourcing strategy, selecting experienced international suppliers for critical systems. This included CFM International for engines, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins for avionics, Liebherr for landing gear and air‑conditioning systems, and multiple AVIC subsidiaries for structural and systems integration.
While the aircraft was promoted as “homegrown,” COMAC’s strategy mirrored Airbus and Boeing: combine domestic manufacturing with proven international technology to accelerate development.
During this period, COMAC also began early work on the future Chinese‑developed CJ‑1000A engine, intended to eventually replace the LEAP‑1C.
Prototype Construction (2011–2015)
Construction of the first C919 prototype began in December 2011. COMAC established a distributed manufacturing network across China, with major components produced in Xi’an, Chengdu, Shenyang, and Jiangxi, then transported to Shanghai for final assembly.
By September 2015, the first prototype rolled off the assembly line without engines. The fully assembled aircraft was unveiled on 2 November 2015, marking a major milestone for the program.
Flight Test Program (2017–2022)
The maiden flight took place on 5 May 2017. COMAC planned a six‑aircraft test fleet to complete approximately 4,200 hours of flight testing. The program included performance validation, avionics integration, structural testing, and cold‑weather and high‑altitude trials.
Flight testing was conducted at multiple locations across China, including Shanghai, Xi’an, Dongying, and Nanchang. The test program progressed steadily, though with several delays typical of first‑time aircraft development.
By late 2020, the CAAC issued type inspection authorisation, confirming the aircraft’s design was frozen and ready for final certification testing.
Certification & Entry Into Service (2022–2023)
The C919 received CAAC type certification on 29 September 2022. China Eastern Airlines, the launch customer, took delivery of the first aircraft on 9 December 2022.
The C919 entered commercial service on 28 May 2023, operating flight MU9191 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing Capital Airport. This marked the beginning of China’s first domestically produced large commercial jet entering regular airline operations.
Future Development: C929 & C939
The C919 is the foundation of COMAC’s long‑term strategy. The next step is the C929, a wide‑body twin‑aisle aircraft developed jointly under the CRAIC partnership. The C939, a larger 400‑seat concept, remains a long‑term vision.
These aircraft are intended to compete with the Airbus A330neo, A350, Boeing 787, and 777 families, positioning China as a full‑range commercial aircraft manufacturer.
History
Building a new airliner for the first time is a very challenging and time‑consuming affair. Even seasoned plane makers such as Boeing and Airbus have suffered many delays in bringing new prototypes to fruition. New technologies, new manufacturing methods, and doing things for the first time all contribute to a long development journey.
During the development of the C919, COMAC initiated a cooperation agreement with Irish low‑cost carrier Ryanair. This agreement lasted six months and allowed airline operational perspectives to be incorporated into the design phase. From here, COMAC proceeded with the final design of the C919.
A COMAC C919 History Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 11 May 2008 | COMAC is established with the aim of building airliners to reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers. |
| 28 October 2010 | COMAC applies to the Civil Aviation Authority of China for type certification of the C919. |
| November 2010 | At the Zhuhai Airshow, COMAC announces 55 orders from Air China, CDB Leasing, China Eastern, China Southern, GECAS, and Hainan Airlines. |
| June 2011 | COMAC and Ryanair sign a cooperation agreement on the development of the C919. |
| 20 October 2011 | ICBC Leasing becomes the C919 launch customer with an order for 45 aircraft. |
| 11 November 2014 | China Merchants Bank (Leasing) orders 30 C919s at the Zhuhai Airshow. |
| 24 November 2011 | The COMAC–Ryanair agreement is concluded. |
| 9 December 2011 | Construction of the first C919 prototype begins. Assembly expected in 2014 with a first flight in 2015. |
| September 2015 | The first C919 rolls off the production line without engines. |
| 02 November 2015 | The first completed C919 rolls out. |
| April 2017 | High‑speed taxi tests completed. |
| 05 May 2017 | Maiden flight of the C919. 4,200 hours of testing required for certification. |
| 28 September 2017 | Second flight: 2 hours 46 minutes to 10,000 ft. Five‑month gap noted as unusual. |
| 28 July 2017 | Second prototype completed. Six aircraft planned for the test program. |
| 03 November 2017 | Third flight: 3 hours 45 minutes to 9,800 ft. |
| 10 November 2017 | First prototype transferred from Shanghai to Xi’an for continued testing. |
| 17 December 2017 | Second prototype makes its maiden flight. |
| February 2018 | Launch customer China Eastern advised launch likely to slip to 2021. |
| June 2018 | Launch schedule delayed three months; COMAC still hopes for 2020 certification. |
| 12 July 2018 | Second prototype flies from Shanghai/Pudong to Dongying Airport to test varied meteorological conditions. |
| 01 August 2019 | Fourth prototype conducts its maiden flight. |
| 24 October 2019 | Fifth prototype conducts its maiden flight. |
| 27 December 2019 | Sixth prototype conducts its maiden flight. |
| 27 November 2020 | CAAC issues type inspection authorisation — design finalised. |
| 29 September 2022 | CAAC issues the airworthiness certificate for the C919. |
| 09 December 2022 | First C919 delivered to China Eastern Airlines. |
| 28 May 2023 | First commercial flight of the COMAC C919, MU9191 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing Capital. |
Specifications
The first iteration of the family of airliners planned by COMAC is the 156–174 seat C919. This will be the smallest of the plane maker’s offerings and appears to be offered in six variations: Baseline, Stretched, Freighter, Shortened, Business, and Specials.
The C919 flight deck follows the Airbus philosophy, using a side‑stick controller instead of the traditional centre control column preferred by Boeing. Instrumentation is state‑of‑the‑art, with two 15.4‑inch main display screens in front of each pilot and a 12.5‑inch side screen below the window. In addition, the C919 will be offered with an optional HUD (Head‑Up Display), projecting key flight data onto a glass panel so the pilot can monitor airspeed, altitude, and other information without looking down.
Specifications Table
| C919 Mixed Class | C919 All Economy | C919 High Density | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Crew | 2 | ||
| Seating | 158 in 2 classes | 168 in all economy | 174 in all economy |
| Seating Pitch | 12 seats – 97cm 144 seats – 81cm |
168 seats – 81cm | 174 seats – 76cm |
| Fuselage Length | 38.9 Metres | ||
| Fuselage Width | 3.95 Metres | ||
| Tail height | 11.95 Metres | ||
| Wing Span | 35.8 Metres | ||
| Wing Area | 129.15 Square Metres | ||
| Cabin Width | 3.9 Metres | ||
| Cabin Height | 2.25 Metres | ||
| MTOW | 72,500 kg/159,835 lb Extended Range 77,300 kg / 170,417 lb |
||
| Maximum Fuel | 24,364 Lt (6,436 US Gal) | ||
| Maximum Payload | 20,400 kg / 45,000 lb | ||
| Empty Weight | 42,100 kg / 92,815 lb | ||
| Range Fully Laden | Standard – 4,075 km (2,200 nm) Extended Range – 5,555 km (2,999 nm) |
||
| Cruise | Mach .785 / 598 mph / 969 Kph | ||
| Take-off distance | 2,000 M / 6,600 ft Extended Range 2,200 M / 7,200 ft |
||
| Service Ceiling | 12,100 M / 39,700 ft | ||
| Approach Speed | 135 kn / 250 kph | ||
| Landing/span | 1,600 M / 5,200 ft | ||
| Engines | CFM International LEAP 1C / COMAC CJ-1000A | ||
| Thrust | 137.9 kN (31,000 lbf) | ||
Assembly
Whilst the C919 is said to be China’s own homegrown airliner, many components are still supplied by foreign manufacturers. This is not unusual, as both Boeing and Airbus adopt the same strategy in the production of their own airliners.
Whilst the list of suppliers currently features many non‑Chinese entities, this is only until such time as China can ramp up its own technology to build these parts domestically. For example, the engines currently supplied by the General Electric joint venture with AVIC will eventually be replaced by the Chinese‑developed CJ1000. The government has a development project beginning 2021–2025, and this could take up to 15 years.
The list below shows some of the main suppliers of components for the C919.
COMAC C919 Suppliers
| Component | Supplier |
|---|---|
| Engines | LEAP‑1C engine supplied by CFM International (GE + Safran joint venture). |
| Avionics | Rockwell Collins, Honeywell, CETC, GE‑AVIC joint venture. |
| Flight Control System | Parker, AVIC, Honeywell, MOOG. |
| Landing Gear System | Liebherr. |
| Hydraulic System | Parker, AVIC. |
| Air Conditioning System | Liebherr. |
| Electrical System | Hamilton Sundstrand, AVIC. |
| Flight Deck & Cabin Interior | FACC, XML. |
| APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) | Honeywell, AVIC. |
| Fire Protection | KIDDE, AVIC. |
| Lighting System | Goodrich, AVIC, TM, Jiuzhou, Eaton. |
Many of these suppliers are well‑known global aerospace companies and also provide components for Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, and other major manufacturers.
Orders & Deliveries
The COMAC C919 has attracted strong interest from Chinese airlines and leasing companies. While international orders have not yet materialised, the domestic market alone provides a substantial foundation for production. The majority of commitments come from state‑owned carriers and major leasing firms, reflecting China’s strategic intent to support the aircraft’s entry into service.
C919 Orders
| Customer | Order / Commitment |
|---|---|
| China Eastern Airlines | 5 aircraft (launch customer) |
| Air China | 20 aircraft (commitment) |
| China Southern Airlines | 20 aircraft (commitment) |
| Hainan Airlines | 20 aircraft (commitment) |
| China Eastern (additional) | 100 aircraft (2023 agreement) |
| ICBC Leasing | 45 aircraft (launch leasing customer) |
| CDB Leasing | 10 aircraft |
| China Merchants Bank Leasing | 30 aircraft |
| Ping An Leasing | 50 aircraft |
| Other Chinese leasing companies | Various commitments bringing total orders above 1,000 aircraft |
As of 2024, COMAC reports more than 1,000 orders and commitments for the C919, almost entirely from Chinese airlines and leasing companies. This provides a strong domestic production base as COMAC works toward increasing manufacturing capacity.
Deliveries
| Customer | Delivered Aircraft |
|---|---|
| China Eastern Airlines | 1 aircraft delivered on 9 December 2022 Additional deliveries ongoing through 2023–2024 |
China Eastern Airlines is currently the only operator of the C919. The airline began commercial operations on 28 May 2023 with flight MU9191 from Shanghai Hongqiao to Beijing Capital Airport. The aircraft has since been deployed on domestic routes, with performance data contributing to ongoing certification and production refinement.
COMAC plans to increase production capacity gradually, with long‑term goals of producing 150 C919s per year once full industrial ramp‑up is achieved.
Legacy
The COMAC C919 represents a major milestone in China’s aviation history. It is the first domestically produced large commercial jet to enter airline service, marking China’s arrival as a serious participant in the global aerospace industry. While the aircraft currently relies heavily on international suppliers, its development has laid the foundation for future Chinese‑built systems, including engines, avionics, and advanced composites.
The C919’s entry into service breaks the long‑standing duopoly held by Airbus and Boeing in the narrow‑body market. Although the aircraft is not yet certified outside China, its domestic order book of more than 1,000 aircraft provides a strong industrial base and ensures long‑term production stability. As manufacturing capacity increases, the C919 will become a familiar sight across China’s rapidly expanding aviation network.
Beyond the aircraft itself, the C919 program has accelerated China’s aerospace capabilities. It has driven investment in research, manufacturing, supply chain development, and workforce training. These advancements directly support the next stages of COMAC’s strategy: the C929 wide‑body and the larger C939 concept. Together, these aircraft aim to position China as a full‑range commercial aircraft manufacturer capable of competing in both single‑aisle and twin‑aisle markets.
The C919’s legacy will ultimately be measured not only by its operational success, but by the long‑term transformation it brings to China’s aviation industry. It is a stepping stone toward greater technological independence, expanded global influence, and a future where Chinese‑built airliners operate alongside the world’s most established aircraft families.