China’s C929 Widebody Jet Expected to Make First Commercial Flight by 2035

China’s C929 Widebody Jet Targeting First Commercial Flight by 2035

China’s inaugural domestically developed widebody passenger aircraft, the C929, is now projected to undertake its first commercial flight by 2035. This updated timeline was disclosed to foreign partners during the recent Paris Air Show and represents a shift from earlier, more optimistic estimates. The revised schedule aligns with the development trajectories historically observed in Boeing and Airbus’s initial widebody programs, reflecting the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China’s (Comac) deliberate and safety-focused approach, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

Comac has communicated its goal to obtain Chinese type certification for the C929 by 2032. A senior Comac official stated during the air show presentation, “Currently we plan to achieve TC (type certificate) in 2032. The C929 has entered the detailed design phase ... this is our future. We would like to offer a new twin-aisle aircraft to our customers.” The aircraft is designed to accommodate up to 440 passengers and is expected to have a maximum range of 12,000 kilometers, enabling long-haul routes such as Shanghai to New York. Its design is anticipated to bear similarities to existing widebody models like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.

Development Context and Market Challenges

The C929 project builds on the momentum generated by Comac’s C919 narrowbody jet, which entered commercial service in China in May 2023, less than a year after receiving certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Despite this progress, the C929 faces considerable challenges as it prepares to enter a market long dominated by established aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus. While global demand for new aircraft is recovering as airlines rebound from the pandemic, competition remains intense. Airlines such as AirAsia continue to negotiate new jet acquisitions, reflecting ongoing shifts in market demand and preferences.

In response to Comac’s ambitions, competitors are reinforcing their positions through strategic partnerships and technological innovation. Notably, suppliers including Safran and Crane Aerospace and Electronics have entered into agreements to support the C929 program, indicating a degree of international collaboration and interest in the project.

Geopolitical considerations also influence the C929’s prospects. China’s contemplation of substantial Airbus jet orders could affect market dynamics and competitive strategies, potentially impacting the C929’s positioning both within China and on the global stage.

As Comac advances the C929 through its detailed design phase, the company confronts a complex array of technical, commercial, and geopolitical challenges. The coming years will be critical in determining whether China’s new widebody jet can secure a meaningful share of the highly competitive international aviation market.