China Eastern Airlines Launches C919 Inaugural Flight

China Eastern Airlines, the inaugural customer of China’s domestically-produced narrow-body aircraft C919, is set to commence its first commercial flight on Sunday May 28, according to the carrier’s mobile app. Departing from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at 10:45 a.m. Beijing time (0245 GMT) as MU9191, the C919 flight will arrive at Beijing Capital Airport at 1:10 p.m. A subsequent flight from Beijing back to Shanghai is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

The introduction of the C919 into commercial service signifies a significant milestone for China’s ambition to challenge the longstanding Airbus-Boeing duopoly in the global aviation manufacturing industry. Developed by the Commercial Aviation Corp of China (COMAC) as a competitor to the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle jet families, the C919 has already completed numerous flights without passengers.

Despite limited promotion of the first commercial flight by the airline and manufacturer, anticipation grew on Chinese social media following the release of a commemorative stamp by the Shanghai Stamp Collecting Corporation, featuring the C919 flight date as May 28. China Eastern has not disclosed the passengers for the inaugural flight and has not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Earlier this year, the airline launched a ticket booking channel on its app, allowing the public to make reservations for the C919. In March 2021, China Eastern signed a contract for five C919s, marking the first commercial agreement for the aircraft. The carrier received its initial C919, identified as B-919A, in December and subsequently conducted 100 hours of test flights without passengers.

The C919, equipped with a two-class cabin layout comprising business and economy seats, accommodates 164 passengers. While the aircraft is assembled in China, it heavily relies on Western components such as engines and avionics from companies including GE, Safran, and Honeywell International.

According to Merics, the China-made C919 aircraft has outpaced Boeing’s 737 series in securing new orders. By late 2022, COMAC had received 305 orders for the C919, primarily from state-owned airlines and financial institutions in China, while Boeing had managed to secure only 116 orders for its 737 lineup.

A report from SCMP stated, “Airbus has taken the lead with 565 orders of its A320 in China, indicating a shift towards a potential triopoly, which could pose challenges for Boeing.” The report highlighted the political motivations of China’s state-owned airlines, suggesting that even if the C919 may have operational deficiencies compared to its competitors in terms of efficiency and technological advancement, the political agenda would likely outweigh such considerations. This situation further complicates the business landscape for both Boeing and Airbus in an already highly politicized industry, as noted by Merics in their report.

The think tank also emphasized that the integration of C919 planes into China’s airlines would be a gradual process since they are already accustomed to operating Western commercial aircraft.

Related story: Can China’s C919 passenger jet unsettle Airbus and Boeing’s duopoly?