The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has opened the doors for visitors to freely explore two aircraft, the C919 and ARJ21-700, stationed at Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh.
The C919 and ARJ21-700 are the first domestically designed and manufactured commercial aircraft in China by Comac. Currently, these two aircraft are being showcased at Van Don Airport. Vietnam is the second international destination for the C919 after Singapore.
This event is part of Comac’s plan to introduce the “Made in China” aircraft to five Southeast Asian countries. After the event in Van Don, the two planes will continue their journey to Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Vientiane (Laos).
Inside, the C919 features a configuration similar to narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320/321. However, the price for each C919 is approximately $99 million, which is lower than that of the Airbus A320 NEO or Boeing 737. Comac developed the C919 with the expectation of competing with these two popular commercial aircraft.
The business class of the C919 is designed similarly to the A321, featuring eight leather seats arranged on both sides, separated by curtains from the economy class.
The economy class configuration on this narrow-body aircraft resembles that of the Airbus A320/A321 and Boeing 737 MAX, with three seats on each side.
Although touted as a “Made in China” aircraft, the C919 still relies heavily on components and raw materials sourced from abroad. The communication and navigation systems use parts from Rockwell Collins (USA).
The C919’s galley can accommodate seven food trolleys along with systems, a bar, and food warming cabinets, similar to those found on Airbus aircraft.
The “domestic” hallmark of the C919 is found in its wings and tail, which feature components produced in China.
Meanwhile, the ARJ21-700 is a twin-engine regional jet. Chinese airlines have utilized this jet on numerous domestic routes. Its international customer is Indonesia, which received one aircraft in 2022.
The ARJ21 has a range of 2,225 km to 3,700 km. It can be configured to seat between 78 to 97 passengers, similar to the ATR72 and Embraer 190 aircraft available in Vietnam. Additionally, the ARJ21 can also be modified into a private jet configuration for VIP customers.
