Inside China's first passenger plane

Inside the first Chinese-made passenger plane. (Source: SCMP)

Inside China's first passenger plane - 1

The first flight of the C919 was conducted at 10:45 a.m. on May 28, operated by China Eastern Airlines with flight number MU9191 from Shanghai to Beijing, China's busiest domestic route.

Inside the first Chinese-made passenger plane - 2

A passenger checks in before boarding the first commercial flight of the C919 aircraft at Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai.

Inside the first Chinese-made passenger plane - 3

The C919 aircraft was researched and manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) since 2008 and began production in 2011, but it was not until September 2022 that it received a commercial operation certificate in China.

Inside the first Chinese-made passenger plane - 4

On its maiden flight, the C919 carried 128 passengers on a flight from Shanghai to Beijing.

Inside China's first passenger plane - 5

Before being delivered to China Eastern Airlines, the C919 underwent a testing program that lasted from 2017 with more than 100 flight hours.

Inside China's first passenger plane - 6

According to China Eastern Airlines, the 164-seat C919 has a two-cabin design with 8 business class seats and 156 economy class seats. The middle seat in the three-seat row in the economy class is 1.5 cm wider than the two adjacent seats, making it more comfortable for passengers.

Inside China's first passenger plane - 7

A passenger shows off his ticket on the first commercial flight of a Chinese-made passenger plane.

Inside China's first passenger plane - 8

China Eastern Airline flight attendants serve food to passengers during the flight.

Inside China's first passenger plane - 9

China hopes its narrow-body aircraft can break the dominance of aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing. The C919 will compete directly with aircraft in the same segment as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max.