Part 5/9:
Walking down the aisle of the new C919, I was struck by its modern design and comfort. The plane seats a total of 190 passengers—with a 2-2 business-class setup upfront and the remainder in a typical 3-3 economy configuration. The aircraft's aesthetics mirrored its Western counterparts, sporting LED lighting and the unique “new plane” scent that travelers cherish.
As we awaited takeoff, I learned the C919 is powered by LEAP engines, which are also found on various models of the Airbus A320neo. This fusion of Western engineering and Chinese manufacturing is crucial for Comac, as they aim to compete directly with Boeing and Airbus in the commercial aviation market.