Summary
- C919 offers standard & extended models with different ranges, catering to varied airline needs.
- The plateau & stretched variants provide customized solutions for high-altitude operations & long-range travel.
- Airlines in China have shown interest in C919 versions to expand their fleet, indicating market potential.
The C919 aircraft, developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), represents a significant milestone in China’s civil aviation manufacturing industry. Since its inception, the C919 has not only aimed to compete with established models like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 but has also sought to cater to diverse market needs through the development of various derivative models. These variants are designed to meet specific operational requirements. This article delves into the different current and potential variants of the C919 aircraft, highlighting their unique features and the roles they play in the aviation market.
The standard model: C919 basic version
The C919’s baseline model is the standard passenger version, which serves as the foundation for all other variants. This model is configured to accommodate 158 to 168 passengers in a typical two-class layout, with a range of approximately 4,075 kilometers (2,532 miles). The passenger version is designed to operate on short—to medium-haul routes, making it an ideal choice for domestic and regional flights within Asia and beyond.
Key features of the standard C919 include advanced aerodynamics, state-of-the-art avionics, and efficient CFM International LEAP-1C engines, which collectively contribute to lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact. The passenger version is equipped with modern in-flight entertainment systems and comfortable seating arrangements, enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
C919 Extended Range: Reaching Further
To cater to airlines requiring greater range capabilities, COMAC has introduced an extended-range variant of the C919. This model features additional fuel tanks and structural modifications to increase the aircraft’s maximum range to around 5,555 kilometers (3,452 miles). The extended-range version is designed to operate on longer routes, enabling airlines to connect more distant destinations without compromising on efficiency.
The C919 extended-range variant retains the passenger capacity and comfort features of the standard model, ensuring a seamless travel experience over longer distances. This variant is particularly attractive to airlines operating in geographically expansive regions or those looking to expand their international route networks.
In the last week of April this year, Air China and China Southern Airlines each announced the purchase of 100 C919 aircraft from COMAC. With this, each of China’s three major state-owned airlines has ordered 100 C919 aircraft. Interestingly, in Air China’s announcement, the list price of the C919 was $108 million, which differs from the $99 million list price stated in the announcements of China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, the latter having also ordered 100 C919 aircraft earlier.
This indicates that Air China is purchasing the extended-range version of the C919, while China Southern and China Eastern are buying the standard version. The list price of the extended-range C919 is approximately 9% higher than that of the standard version.
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China Southern, like China Eastern, ordered the C919 basic version, while Air China ordered the C919 extended-range version.
C919 Shortened / Plateau Variant and C919 Stretched Variant
COMAC unveiled new variants of its C919 aircraft at the 2023 Shanghai International Commercial Airshow: a shortened 140-seat version and an extended 210-seat version designed to meet different market needs.
According to COMAC, the newly introduced variants will have distinct performances and features. The shortened C919, also known as the plateau version, is designed for operations at high-altitude airports. It can accommodate 140 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a range of 3,000 kilometers. This model’s fuselage is approximately 34 meters long, which is 3.6 meters shorter than the standard version, while the wings and engines remain unchanged.
COMAC stated that the shortened or plateau version “can meet the transportation needs of the western region, suitable for takeoff and landing at plateau airports, with strong adaptability and economic efficiency.”
One month after announcing the plateau version, on December 17, 2023, COMAC signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Tibet Airlines to jointly develop the domestic large aircraft C919 plateau version. Tibet Airlines is also the first high-altitude airline in China.
On February 20, 2024, COMAC and Tibet Airlines signed an order for 40 C919 plateau aircraft on the opening day of the Singapore Airshow. This is the first and so far the only order for the C919 plateau version.
China has the most high-altitude airports in the world. Currently, the main high-altitude models in China are the Airbus A319, Airbus A330, and Boeing 737-700, with 132 A319s making up the majority. In 2023, 176 passenger aircraft operated on high-altitude routes in China, accounting for less than 5% of China’s civil aviation passenger fleet, with 10 to 20-year-old aircraft making up nearly 50%.
High-altitude models are facing aging issues. Without sufficient new aircraft replacements, the number of high-altitude aircraft less than five years old is expected to drop to six (3%) by the end of 2025, and five to ten-year-old aircraft will decrease to 41 (20%). This leaves ample market space for the C919 plateau version.
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The extended C919 is designed for medium—to long-range markets and can carry 210 passengers in a two-class configuration with a range of 4,500 kilometers. This model’s fuselage is about 45 meters long, 7.4 meters longer than the standard version, with corresponding improvements to the wings and engines. COMAC stated that the extended C919 “can meet the operational needs between major Chinese cities and the Asia-Pacific region, with high transport efficiency and economic performance.”
The market is still in a wait-and-see stage for the extended C919, with no orders to date.
COMAC has not disclosed the specific development progress and delivery time of the shortened/plateau version and the extended version of the C919 but stated that “the development of C919 derivative models will be gradually promoted according to market demand and technical conditions.”