China Southern Airlines' first C919 jetliner, the country's self-developed large passenger aircraft, completed its maiden commercial flight on Thursday, marking a new milestone for the plane's operation.
The flight CZ3539 departed from the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at about 12:00 and arrived at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport at about 14:00.
Now all the three largest airlines of China, namely, the China Eastern Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, have started commercial operation of the homegrown aircraft.
China Southern Airlines' first C919 jetliner has a 164-seat three-class layout, consisting of eight business class, 18 pearl economy class and 138 economy class seats.
The Baiyun International Airport terminal has set up several C919-exclusive check-in counters and exclusive flight information display, and arranged special spots for tourists to take photos and a message board for travelers to write their suggestions down.
"Starting from Sept. 21, we will implement a round-trip flight between Guangzhou and Shanghai, and a round-trip flight between Guangzhou and Hangzhou each day with C919. With the successive delivery of the 100 C919 aircraft under the purchase contract we signed with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), we will gradually increase flight routes of the jetliner," said Yu Jun, an official of China Southern Airlines.
To date, COMAC has delivered nine C919 aircraft to the three leading Chinese airlines.
China Southern and Air China received their first C919 aircraft in Shanghai on Aug. 28.
China Eastern Airlines, the launch customer for the C919, has reported consistent operational performance with seven C919 aircraft since they entered service on May 28, 2023.
China Southern Airlines starts commercial operation of C919 jetliner
