China’s Comac looking to upgrade C919 flying experience with more cabin luggage capacity

“Comac has realised it must make passengers as comfortable as possible on the C919, when the initial novelty surrounding the home-grown jet has fizzled out and there are complaints about cabin experiences,” said the source, who asked not to be named.

The Shanghai-based manufacturer has delivered 37 C919 jets to Chinese airlines. The plane has flown routes to more than 20 Chinese cities since its maiden commercial flight three years ago and had transported 4 million passengers by the end of last year, according to data from the Ministry of Transport.

Along with the need to improve passengers’ flying experience, Comac faces other challenges to the jet’s greater ubiquity, including limited production capacity, engine delays and hurdles to overseas market expansion.

“One issue that constantly annoys passengers flying the C919 – deterring some from choosing the aircraft – is strict luggage inspection at the gate,” the source said. “Passengers are more likely to be asked to check their bags rather than carry them on board, when cabin compartments are easily filled up due to their inadequate size.”