Airlines

China Eastern Airlines Inks $9.9 Billion Deal for 100 COMAC C919 Jets

China Eastern Airlines has committed to purchase 100 more COMAC C919 narrowbody planes. The airline is the C919’s first customer and currently operates a small number of aircraft.

Deliveries under this new arrangement will commence in 2024, with COMAC delivering five aircraft during the year. China Eastern will take another ten per year from 2025 to 2027, followed by 15 per year from 2028 to 2030. COMAC will deliver the final batch of 20 aircraft in 2031. The airline valued the new contract at about $9.9 billion at list pricing, but underlined that it had purchased the planes at a substantial discount.

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The agreement comes five months after China Eastern conducted the inaugural flight of the Chinese passenger plane, which state-owned COMAC had built to compete with the single-aisle jet families of Airbus SE’s A320neo and Boeing Co’s 737 MAX.

The state-owned carrier with its headquarters in Shanghai is the C919’s first customer; it has purchased five of the aircraft, three of which have already been delivered. Later this year, the other two are anticipated to be delivered.

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According to China Eastern, the new aircraft would expand its fleet at a time when air travel is experiencing a robust rebound after three years of COVID limitations and as the airline prepares to retire a significant portion of its narrow-body aircraft due to ageing.

Between 2020 and 2039, COMAC estimates that about 40,600 new aircraft will be delivered on the global market, with a value of roughly 5.9 trillion dollars. The company’s Chinese C919 and ARJ21 planes could deliver a total of 732 billion dollars worth of products.

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Airlines

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

British Airways has introduced its brand-new First Class seat, blending sleek design with expert British craftsmanship. Reflecting modern British luxury travel, this new cabin is part of the airline’s Airbus A380 retrofit plans, set to take flight in mid-2026.

The updated First Class cabin has been crafted to feel like a modern luxury hotel in the sky, complete with cozy touches and thoughtful British details.

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Designed by top experts from across Great Britain and Ireland—including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel, and Dublin—the seat reflects the best of British design and quality.

Features and Comforts
The new First Class seat is ultra-wide at 36.5 inches, with a bed length of 79 inches for ultimate comfort. It includes:

A multi-purpose ottoman and stowable table.
A 32-inch 4K TV screen.
Adjustable mood lighting with modes like “relax,” “dine,” and “cinema.”
A cocooned 60-inch curved wall for privacy while maintaining a spacious feel.

Passengers traveling together can enjoy a shared experience with a sliding divider that creates a lounge-like space. The stowable tables also allow for “buddy dining,” where two people can dine together.

The cabin’s flowing curves, inspired by the iconic Concorde wings, create a welcoming and stylish environment. Additionally, passengers can now wheel their luggage directly into their personal storage space, making settling in easier.

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British Airways carefully considered customer feedback when designing this cabin. The seat includes practical storage and features like a fully rectangular bed for home-like comfort. Every detail, from usability to elegance, has been designed to enhance the travel experience.

British Airways is proud to be the only UK-based European airline offering a First Class product across the Atlantic. british airways premium economy and First Class travelers enjoy exclusive perks such as stylish seats, access to luxury lounges, fast-track security, and the First Wing at Heathrow. The airline ensures a premium experience from booking to landing.

This cabin upgrade is part of British Airways’ £7 billion investment in improving customer experiences. The airline has already introduced over 120 initiatives, including new short-haul seats, free onboard Wi-Fi messaging, and refreshed lounges worldwide.