Airlines

COMAC Raises C919 Price, Making It More Expensive Than Boeing 737

COMAC Hikes Price Of C919; Now More Expensive Than Boeing 737

As the year draws to an end, demand for the C919, China’s first domestically built passenger aircraft is growing. According to reports, Air China is now the second customer for the C919, following China Eastern Airlines, and this new order came with a higher price tag.

The confidence of the domestic aviation industry has been greatly enhanced by the rising number of new orders, price increases, and accelerated deliveries of the C919 model.

Chinese media reports that COMAC raised the list price of the C919, which was previously priced at US$99 million but is now US$108 million. As part of the agreement, the company will deliver its first commercial C919 flight from Shanghai to Beijing today. Additionally, an order for eleven ARJ21 aircraft is included.

Air China is expected to receive six C919s and eleven ARJ21s between 2024 and 2025. Amid these changes, Zhou Xinmin, general manager of COMAC, has openly promoted more government assistance to boost the business’s ability to compete with well-known manufacturers like Boeing.

In the meantime, Boeing is once more actively participating in the Chinese market. It has completed the delivery of the Dreamliner to Juneyao Airlines and recently resumed deliveries of its 737 Max series in China.

The revised pricing aligns the cost of the aircraft more closely with Airbus’s A320neo, its direct competitor. The report suggests that Airbus typically prices its commercial jets in the range of US$105 million to US$136 million. Interestingly, the C919’s performance is comparable to that of the Boeing 737 MAX, which is priced at $121.6 million for the MAX 8 model.

Products typically debut at higher prices due to factors such as supply chain considerations, vendor contracts, and the costs associated with research and development. As production scales up and customer commitments solidify, however, these initial high prices often experience a decline. This downward trend is influenced by economies of scale and the establishment of a more stable market presence.

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.