Air China Limited (hereinafter referred to as Air China) and China Southern Airlines Company Limited (hereinafter referred to as China Southern) simultaneously received their first C919 aircraft at Pudong base of the Assembly Manufacturing Center of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) on August 28th, 2024, which marks that C919 aircraft will enter a new phase of operation by multiple users.

The delivery ceremony is themed with “building glorious future together, and soaring hand in hand”. At the site of the delivery ceremony, as the door of the hangar was opened slowly, the first C919 aircraft of Air China painted with the Five-Starred Red Flag and the first C919 aircraft of China Southern painted with the red kapok were presented at the same time, adding radiance and beauty to each other. COMAC issued Aircraft Sales Certificate and delivered a commemorative key of the aircraft to Air China and China Southern respectively. Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued Registration Certificate, Airworthiness Certificate (AC) and Radio Station License to Air China and China Southern respectively.

The first C919 aircraft of Air China is an extended range version of aircraft in two-class layout with 158 seats, including 8 business class seats and 150 economy class seats. The first C919 aircraft of China Southern is a standard range version of aircraft in three-class layout with 164 seats, including 8 business class seats, 18 premium economy class seats and 138 economy class seats. The two aircraft are equipped with customized facilities and equipment such as the cabin seats, and personal charging interfaces are equipped throughout the cabin to provide passengers with a convenient and comfortable flight experience.

In order to guarantee the smooth introduction and subsequent smooth operation of the C919 aircraft, Air China and China Southern have worked closely with COMAC to fully promote various work such as aircraft model selection, production supervision, personnel training and operation preparation. COMAC has insisted on the principle of being customer centered and continuously improved its customer service and operation support system to make preparations for putting more C919 aircraft into route operation.

Up to now, a total of nine C919 aircraft have been delivered to customers. Among which, the C919 aircraft of China Eastern Airlines (CEA) have been operated smoothly for 15 months since its first commercial flight, flying in five scheduled routes and completing more than 3,600 commercial flights and 10,000 flight hours.