COMAC C909COMAC C909

Specifications COMAC C909

The figures in this table refer to one specific variant — C909 (ARJ21-700ER). This avoids combining the range, capacity and dimensions of different versions into an inaccurate set of figures.

Variant shown in the table

C909 (ARJ21-700ER)

Type

regional passenger aircraft

Family's first flight

Year 2008

Passenger capacity

78–97 passengers

Flight range

2,225–3,700 km

Mach's Cruising Number

M 0,78

Length

33,46 m

Wingspan

27,29 m

How the aircraft came about

History COMAC C909

The aircraft first took to the air in 2008 as ARJ21-700, received CAAC type certificate in 2014 and began commercial operation in 2016. In November 2024, COMAC renamed the family the C909.

The aircraft was developed under the name ARJ21 as a regional jetliner of Chinese production. The program began in 2002, the first flight took place in 2008. After prolonged testing, the type received a Chinese certificate in 2014, and transportation began in 2016. The name C909 appeared in 2024 and brought its designation closer to other COMAC programs.

Milestones and decisions

Programme development

The ARJ21 program, later renamed the C909, became the stage for the Chinese industry to organize its own certification and serial production of a regional jet aircraft. Between the first flight in 2008 and the beginning of transportation in 2016, several years of testing and refinement took place. The new name, introduced in 2024, does not mean the creation of a completely different type: it combined the designation with the C919 line and the future C929.

Model features

Design and variants

Two General Electric CF34 engines are mounted on the sides of the rear fuselage; the horizontal plumage is raised to the top of the keel. In the cabin there are usually five seats in a row according to the 2+3 scheme. The aircraft is designed for regional lines, where the capacity of the larger narrow-body C919 can be redundant.

The original designation ARJ21-700 is found in documentation and publications along with the new name C909. Versions with different layouts, including passenger and business options, were developed. When comparing numbers, it is important to consider a specific configuration: the new name itself does not mean a new glider or engine replacement.

Powerplant

Engines

Two GE Aerospace CF34-10A turbofan engines mounted in the rear fuselage.

The engine variant fitted to an individual aircraft is recorded in its documentation. The powerplant affects thrust, fuel consumption, noise and maintenance requirements.

On board

Cabin and passenger capacity

One pass and five seats in a row according to the 2+3 scheme. COMAC offers a two-class layout for 78 seats, economic for 90 seats and dense options for 95 or 97 seats.

The passenger capacity is 78-97 passengers. The exact number of seats is determined by the operator: business class, kitchens, toilets and recreation areas of the crew take place. Therefore, the layout of the cabin differs even with the same models.

In practice

Operations and uses

The first airline to start passenger flights by plane was Chengdu Airlines. Later, the C909 went beyond China: it was used by regional carriers in Indonesia and Laos. The type is designed for a line with a lower flow than the C919. The operation of a passenger, cargo or special configuration requires different layouts and payload indicators.

Technical analysis

How it works COMAC C909

Regional aircraft began to develop under the name ARJ21, long before the renaming of the C909. For the Chinese industry, the program was not only an attempt to create a new liner, but also a practice of certification, organization of deliveries and support of airlines. The first flight took place in 2008, and obtaining a Chinese certificate and the beginning of transportation took several more years. Therefore, early release forecasts should not be confused with the actual history of the aircraft.

Two General Electric CF34 engines are placed on the sides of the rear fuselage, and the horizontal plumage is raised to the top of the keel. Such a layout is markedly different from the C919, whose engines are installed under the wing. The C909 has one aisle and usually five seats in a row, combining space for a regional group of passengers with smaller airframe sizes. The specific number of seats depends on the chosen layout and purpose of the board.

The designation ARJ21-700 is found in early documentation and in the history of operation. In 2024, COMAC began using the name C909, leading the model to the designations C919 and C929. Renaming itself did not mean replacing the engine or the appearance of a new certified design. The family discussed passenger, cargo and special versions, for which the internal equipment and payload differ.

History and operations

Role COMAC C909 in airline service

Chengdu Airlines first started commercial flights by plane in 2016. The regional type allows you to maintain communication between cities where the C919 class aircraft would be too spacious. For such a network, the frequency of flights, work on specific airfields and the availability of service are important. One large flight may be less convenient for passengers than several flights in a smaller car.

Later, the C909 entered international markets: it was operated by carriers in Indonesia and Laos. Working outside the country of development requires not only aircraft, but also crew training, parts supplies and ground services support. It is by these conditions that one can judge the maturity of the program along with the number of machines produced. The design range at full load may differ from the published maximum, as with other regional aircraft.

For the passenger, the C909 is a regular one-pass jet aircraft, but the cabin is already larger than that of large medium-haul models. Scheme 2+3 means the difference between the parties of the series in the number of seats; the choice of seat depends on the layout of the airline. Within the C909 catalog, it is useful to compare with the C919 for its intended purpose, rather than for a single range number: the second type is designed for a larger stream and a different route role.

For comparison

Location COMAC C909 among other aircraft

Three COMAC programs belong to different segments. The C909, formerly called the ARJ21, is designed for regional lines with a relatively small flow. The C919 occupies a class of mass single-aisle aircraft with one pass. The C929 is conceived as a long-range wide-body type with two aisles, but remains a development program for the time being. Their sequence shows the growth of the manufacturer’s tasks, but the experience of operating one aircraft does not automatically confirm the readiness of the next. For the C909, there is already a history of regional operators; for the C919, commercial flight data is accumulated; for the C929, key checks are still ahead. Therefore, the phrase "COMAC aircraft" combines projects at completely different stages of maturity.

When evaluating a new model, it is not only the dimensions of the fuselage and the engine that are important. The manufacturer needs to organize the supply of parts, technical documentation, crew training and service support for airlines. Chinese C919 certification has confirmed the basic version according to the rules of the national regulator, but international geography requires independent work with other aviation authorities. For the C929, even the final figures still depend on the design and testing. When comparing with Airbus or Boeing, it is worth comparing aircraft of the same class and the same status: the serial regional C909 with regional competitors, the C919 operated with narrow-body, the C929 project - with the design goals of the long-range segment. Otherwise, the table will mix the confirmed data with the intentions of the developer.

The C909 was previously called the ARJ21, and this designation change does not mean the birth of an entirely new glider. The regional aircraft has its own history of testing, certification and operation of Chinese operators. To assess the maturity of the program, it is important to look at the number of really serviced routes, crew training and the availability of spare parts, not just passport range. With the C919, the model combines the manufacturer, but not the size class: it would be a mistake to compare their passenger capacity as variants of one car. C909 solves the problem of regional demand and flight frequency.

Where it flies

Airline operators

Examples of current or historically notable operators of the model and its variants:

• Chengdu Airlines
• Air China
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• TransNusa
• Lao Airlines

Fleets change. Check the aircraft type and seat map on the airline's official website before your flight.