What kind of aircraft is it?

If an airport is like a huge station, the COMAC C919 is one aircraft with its own personality. The COMAC C919 is China's large single-aisle airliner, often compared with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families.

Its main job is: single-aisle mainline airliner. It usually flies: short and medium routes. A typical cabin has about 150 to 190 seats. Current encyclopedia status: in commercial service.

A kid-friendly way to remember it: It is an important Chinese airliner, and the C in its name is often connected with China.

What is it like inside?

A single-aisle aircraft usually has one aisle and can turn around quickly between flights. Airlines use this type for frequent city-to-city services.

How to spot it

  • a single-aisle airliner layout
  • one engine under each wing
  • modern nose and wing lines

When you look at an aircraft, do not start with the name. First compare whether the body is narrow or wide, then check where the engines are, and finally look at the wingtips and tail. After a few tries, each aircraft begins to have its own face.

Quick facts

  • It is developed by COMAC.
  • It is used on domestic mainline routes.
  • It is a milestone for China's civil aircraft manufacturing.

Next time you see a photo of the COMAC C919, cover the caption first. Try to identify it from the nose, wings, engines, and tail, then decide whether it is mainly a short-route or long-route aircraft.