26-5-2023 (Shanghai) China Eastern Airlines, the inaugural customer of China’s domestically developed narrow-body jet C919, is scheduled to commence the aircraft’s first commercial flight on Sunday, as stated on the carrier’s app on Friday.
Designated as flight number MU9191, the C919 will take off at 10:45 a.m. Beijing time (0245 GMT) from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and arrive at Beijing Capital Airport at 1:10 p.m.
This milestone marks the official launch of the C919’s commercial operations, reflecting China’s aspirations to challenge the longstanding Airbus-Boeing duopoly in the global airline manufacturing industry.
Manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to rival Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX single-aisle jet families, the C919 has undergone numerous flights without passengers.
China Eastern stated on Thursday that the C919 would be put into operation “in the near future,” with Shanghai serving as its primary base. The airline has not yet responded to a request for comment on Friday.
Earlier this week, the Shanghai Stamp Collecting Corporation announced the issuance of a commemorative stamp to celebrate the inaugural flight of the C919 on Sunday.
China Eastern entered into a contract for five C919s in March 2021, marking the first commercial agreement for the aircraft. The carrier, headquartered in Shanghai, received its initial C919, registered as B-919A, in December and commenced 100 hours of empty aircraft verification test flights.
China’s state news agency, Xinhua, reported last year that the C919 was set to make its first commercial flight in the spring.
With a seating capacity of 164, the C919 features a two-class cabin layout, comprising business and economy seats.
Although the C919 is assembled in China, it heavily relies on Western components, including engines and avionics, supplied by companies such as GE, Safran, and Honeywell International.
