Comac C919
Comac · Narrowbody / Commercial Aviation · China · Digital Age (2010–present)
The Comac C919 is a Chinese twin-engine single-aisle airliner — China's first indigenous medium-range commercial airliner + Comac's principal commercial offering. Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) developed the C919 in 2008-2017; the prototype first flew on 5 May 2017 + the first commercial flight occurred on 28 May 2023. About 30 C919s have been delivered as of 2026. The aircraft is Comac's challenger to the Boeing 737 MAX + Airbus A320neo in the single-aisle airliner market.
The C919 uses 2 × CFM International LEAP-1C turbofan engines (28,000 lbf each — French/American jointly developed). Maximum speed Mach 0.82 (1,005 km/h), range 5,555 km, service ceiling 12,100 m. Capacity: 158-192 passengers (depending on configuration) + 4-6 crew. The aircraft heavily uses Western-supplied components (CFM engines, Honeywell avionics, Hamilton Sundstrand systems) — Comac's strategy is to use Western suppliers initially + transition to Chinese-supplied components over time. About 1,200 C919 orders have been placed by Chinese + international airlines as of 2026.
C919 service is just beginning. China Eastern Airlines received the first C919 in December 2022 + entered commercial service 28 May 2023. China Southern Airlines + Air China + Chengdu Airlines + other Chinese carriers have C919 orders. As of 2026 about 30 C919s have been delivered + production is ramping to ~75 deliveries per year by 2028. Comac targets 1,000 C919 deliveries by 2035; this would make the C919 a large challenger to Boeing + Airbus single-aisle dominance in Chinese + Asian markets.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Comac C919 is China's first homemade single-aisle airliner. The C919 first flew on May 5, 2017. The first commercial flight happened on May 28, 2023. About 30 C919s have been delivered as of 2026. The plane competes with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo.
The C919 is 124 feet long with a 116-foot wingspan, smaller than a Boeing 737-900. Two CFM International LEAP-1C jet engines each make 28,000 pounds of thrust. Top speed is 624 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane carries 158 to 192 passengers.
The C919 uses many Western-supplied parts: French-American CFM engines, Honeywell avionics, and Hamilton Sundstrand systems. China plans to replace these with Chinese-made parts over time. This is China's path to a fully homemade airliner.
About 1,200 C919 orders have been placed by 2026. Most orders come from Chinese airlines like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern. A few international orders have come from countries like Brunei. The C919 is a major Chinese effort to challenge Boeing and Airbus.
Fun Facts
- The Comac C919 is China's first homemade single-aisle airliner.
- The C919 first flew on May 5, 2017.
- The C919 is 124 feet long, smaller than a Boeing 737-900.
- Top speed is 624 mph, faster than most race cars.
- The C919 carries 158 to 192 passengers.
- About 1,200 C919 orders have been placed by 2026.
- Most C919 parts are Western, with Chinese parts replacing them over time.
Kids’ Questions
Why use Western parts?
Building a modern airliner is hard. China decided to buy good engines, avionics, and systems from Western companies (CFM, Honeywell, Hamilton Sundstrand) while focusing on the airframe and assembly. This shortcut got the C919 flying faster. Over the next 10 to 20 years, China plans to replace Western parts with Chinese-made versions, making the C919 fully homemade.
Can it beat Boeing and Airbus?
Not yet. Boeing and Airbus dominate the airliner market, with thousands of 737s and A320s flying worldwide. Comac just delivered its 30th C919. But Chinese airlines are required to buy domestic planes when possible. Over time, the C919 will grow in the Chinese market and may sell abroad. By 2040, Comac aims to be a third major airliner maker.
How is it different from a Boeing 737?
The C919 is slightly smaller than a Boeing 737 MAX (124 feet versus 130 feet long). Both have two CFM LEAP engines, similar wings, and similar passenger numbers. The C919 has a slightly modern interior with mood lighting and bigger overhead bins. Performance is similar. Comac copied the basic 737-A320 design rather than making something radically new.
Variants
- C919 (basic)
- Standard 158-192 passenger variant. ~30 delivered.
Notable Operators
- China Eastern Airlines (2023+)
- First commercial operator. ~5 C919s in service.
- China Southern + Air China + Chengdu Airlines + others
- Chinese launch customers. ~25 additional C919s on order or recently delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the C919 a Chinese 737 / A320?
Yes — China's challenger to the Boeing 737 MAX + Airbus A320neo. The C919 (158-192 passengers, range 5,555 km, twin-engine, narrow-body) directly competes with the 737 MAX (162-204 passengers, range 6,510 km) + A320neo (180-244 passengers, range 6,300 km) in the medium-haul single-aisle airliner market. Comac uses Western suppliers (CFM engines, Honeywell avionics) which makes the C919 less risky for international certification but reduces the "Chinese-indigenous" content. Chinese government strategy is to transition to Chinese-supplied components over the C919's production life.
How many C919 orders have been placed?
About 1,200 orders as of 2026 — predominantly from Chinese airlines (China Eastern, China Southern, Air China, Chengdu Airlines, others). Indonesian + Cambodian + Laotian airlines have indicated interest; no firm Western orders as of 2026. Comac targets 1,000 deliveries by 2035 — a production goal that would establish the C919 as a credible competitor to Boeing + Airbus narrow-body sales in the Asian market.
Sources
See Also
- Boeing 737 MAX — Direct American narrow-body competitor
- Airbus A320neo — Direct European narrow-body competitor
- Comac C909 (ARJ21) — Smaller Chinese short-haul jet predecessor
- CRAIC C929 / CR929 — Larger wide-body successor (Chinese-Russian)