BEIJING: On August 29, 2024, Beijing’s Capital International Airport (PEK) witnessed a historic moment as Air China received its very first COMAC C919 aircraft. This milestone marks the debut of China’s first domestically produced airliner in Air China’s fleet. The aircraft was greeted with a traditional water arch salute, celebrating its arrival from Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), where COMAC’s final assembly plant is located.
Air China’s acquisition of the C919 is part of a major deal signed in April 2024, where the carrier committed to purchasing 100 C919 aircraft with deliveries slated between 2024 and 2031. The inaugural aircraft, registered B-919X, is configured with 158 seats—eight in business class and 150 in economy. It boasts state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment systems designed to elevate the passenger experience.
The delivery of the C919 signifies a key achievement for the COMAC program, marking a significant step forward as COMAC seeks to challenge established competitors like the Airbus A220/A320 and Boeing 737 MAX families. To ensure a seamless integration of the C919 into its operations, Air China has established specialized teams for maintenance, crew training, and ground support, collaborating closely with COMAC on operational procedures.
Before entering commercial service, the aircraft will undergo rigorous ground tests, route validation flights, emergency drills, and operational certification to ensure it meets all standards.
Coinciding with Air China’s milestone, China Southern Airlines also celebrated the delivery of its first C919 (registered B-919J) on the same day at Pudong Airport. The aircraft was subsequently flown to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), marking the beginning of its service with China Southern. Both carriers are set to receive additional C919s over the coming years under their April 2024 agreement with COMAC.
According to COMAC, this simultaneous delivery to Air China and China Southern highlights a significant achievement for the C919 program, showcasing the company’s growing production capacity and management expertise. With these two deliveries, the C919 program now has a total of nine aircraft delivered, including seven already in service with China Eastern, the launch customer for this innovative narrowbody jet.
