China’s Competitor to Boeing and Airbus: Reviewing the Comac 919

• Airline: Chinese Eastern Airlines
• Class: Business
• Aircraft: Comac 919
• Route: Shanghai (SHA) to Chengdu (TFU)
• Flight time: 3 Hours 25 Minutes

When you think of Aviation, you usually thing Airbus or Boeing, but today, we are flying on the Comac 919, China’s first domestically manufactured passenger jet.

With over 1,000 orders, this aircraft is in high demand and may soon be seen in Western skies. So, let’s answer the big question: is the Comac 919 the real deal? Will it rival Airbus and Boeing?

My journey starts in Shanghai, where I’m flying on China Eastern Airlines, who are the world’s only Comac 919 operator at the moment, on a flight to Chengdu.

Checking in as a business class passenger comes with perks, including a separate check-in area and a fast-track security lane leading directly to the business class lounge.

Chinese airlines have significantly improved over the years, and the lounge was a testament to their progress. The security process was seamless, I went from the lounge to the gate in just one minute.

I was eager to get a first glimpse of the aircraft, however, having reached the gate, it was nowhere to be seen.

After wandering around for 20 minutes of searching, I finally spotted it at a remote gate. As a business class passenger, I got a dedicated shuttle bus to the plane.

While it still relies heavily on foreign components such as engines, avionics, landing gear, and even tires, the fuselage is entirely Chinese-made.

Experts predict that it will take another 15 years for China to develop its own engines to match Western technologies.

However, with a listing price of just $90 million, the Comac 919 is already much cheaper than its competitors like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 MAX.

Boarding was smooth, and the cabin looked fresh and modern. The business class cabin features eight seats in a 2-2 configuration. My ticket cost over $800, which isn’t cheap, but the experience was promising.

The cabin had a sleek design, and at first glance, it didn’t look any different from an Airbus or Boeing aircraft. From the outside, the Comac 919 looks like an upgraded and more slick Airbus A320.

My first impressions of the cabin were promising and this aircraft could prove to be a game changer in the industry. There was plenty of excitement around the plane and it was good to see people taking pictures showing the enthusiasm for this milestone in the aviation industry.

Before takeoff, I was offered a hot towel—always a nice touch. The engines roared to life, and we climbed out of Shanghai.

Surprisingly, the noise level was comparable to, if not quieter than, an Airbus or Boeing jet.

Any apprehensions about flying a Chinese-made plane vanished. The aircraft has undergone years of rigorous testing, ensuring it meets international safety standards.

I’ve flown on China Eastern Airlines a couple of times before and it consistently delivers solid service. This flight was no exception.

The crew was professional, and the meal service was efficient. My meal consisted of beef, rice, and a side dish I had no idea what it was.

This was all accompanied with a special dessert featuring the Comac 919 logo. I loved the extra marketing on this, it is something to be proud of.

The beef and rice were outstanding, but the side dish and dessert were underwhelming. However, for my first experience on the Comac 919, it was a satisfying meal.

I took a quick look at the economy class cabin, which features 156 seats in a 3-3 configuration.

More variants of the Comac 919 are currently in development, including a stretched version designed to compete with the Airbus A321.

I don’t typically get excited about the loo reviews anymore, but since it’s a new cabin, I checked out the Comac 919’s facilities.

The lavatory was spacious and reminded me of an Airbus layout—certainly larger than the tight spaces on Boeing 737s.

For now, the Comac 919 is only flying within China, and given how cautious Chinese regulators are, it likely won’t be seen in Western airspace anytime soon.

However, it’s a strong competitor in the aviation market, and we may see it expand to Asia, and possibly even Europe and North America, in the future.

I completed my first flight on the COMAC 919, and I loved it! It’s exciting to see a new competitor join the market and challenge Airbus and Boeing. Competition is good for the aviation industry, and this is just the beginning.

China is already developing a wide-body version, the Comac 929, set to hit the market in the next decade. If this trend continues, we could see Comac become a major global player.

If you want to support my work, check out my Patreon page. You get some extra perks like joining my WhatsApp group, picking the next airline I review, get a Cahill keyring, or early access to my videos.

If you’re interested in the gear I use on my travels having taken over 600+ flights, check out My Gear page.

This is it, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip.

About the Author

Josh Cahill is an award-winning Aviation YouTuber who is reportedly one of the most-watched flight reviewers on the internet. He organised Afghanistan’s first all-female flight together with Kam Air in February 2021 on a flight from Herat to Kabul for which he received the Aviation Achievement Award. His favourite hobby? Flying exotic airlines nobody has ever heard of.