For many non-US and non-European airlines there are two major contenders for their future regional aircraft. The Irkut MC-21 and the Comac C919. This has caused many airlines to ask themselves “Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919, which do we need?”
In many respects, the C919 and the MC-21 are akin to the 737 or the A320. As all four aircraft are short haul, narrow body airliners aimed at enticing low cost carriers as well as national airlines!
Except, the C919 and the MC-21 aren’t being designed to take the place of the A320 or the 737 in the US or Europe. They’re being designed to compete for Asian and Eastern European markets, as a far cheaper alternative!
Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919: The Basics
As they are both currently being designed/undergoing testing with a release date of 2021. Both aircraft have attracted big bids from Eastern European and Chinese airlines, with many more bids set to come!
Irkut MC-21
The MC-21 was originally known as the MS-21 (a transliteration from Russian) thanks to the fact that Sukhoi originally won the bid for the contract. Unfortunately for Sukhoi, they lost the contract, however, it was awarded to the Yakolev Design Bureau.
(Yakolev and Sukhoi are both divisions of United Aircraft Corporation.)
As such, the design that won Sukhoi was used by Yakolev to design the MS-21. The MS-21 is marketed as the MC-21 in the west to avoid legal issues with ‘certain western corporations’ (presumably Microsoft who brand themselves as MS).
The aircraft will likely consist of 130-150 seats and travel 2,700–3,430nmi (depending on if you buy the MC-21-200 or the MC-21-300!) The MC-21 will likely replace the aging Tu-154s (generally considered to be one of the most dangerous aircraft models) as well as other aging models like the Yak-42.
Currently, the MC-21 is expected to enter service in 2021 with several Russian airlines.
Comac C919
Most airlines in China have aging 737 fleets which are hard to get replacements for. Instead of buying second hand 737s or A320s, smaller Chinese airlines have turned to China’s premier aircraft manufacturer- Comac for a replacement.
The airliner’s design was launched in 2008, with a prototype being built in December 2011. The prototype was finished in 2015 and flew for the first time in May 2017.
As of 2018, the C919 has over 1000 commitments with 305 firm orders. The first aircraft will be delivered to OTT Airways (a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines). Most other purchases of the airliner come from smaller Chinese regional and charter airlines.
The C919 is expected to fly 3000nmi and carry 190 passengers. Currently, the C919 is expected to be introduced sometime in 2021.
Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919: Metrics
As neither aircraft has entered service yet, it is difficult to ascertain metrics such as safety, comfortability and so on. However there are other metrics we can measure, such as: orders, certification, maintenance, and price.
Orders
Currently, several airlines have massive orders for both the MC-21 and the C919.
Irkut MC-21
Currently, there are 251 orders for the MC-21, including 85 from Russian conglomerate Rostec. This is followed by VEB Leasing (60) and joint 50 for both Ilyushin Finance and 50 for Aeroflot.
Four airlines have also signed letters of intent to buy the MC-21 once it it fully certified and flown. These airlines are:
- Merpati Nusantara Airlines (10+)
- Bek Air (10)
- Peruvian Airlines (10)
- Yakutia Airlines (5)
Comac C919
Currently, there are 1008 orders for the C919, almost entirely from Chinese airlines. However one Hong Kong and one American (leasing) airline have also placed orders for the C919.
The largest order is from HNA Group for 200! This is followed by ICBC Leasing at 55 and Pin An Insurance at 50. 703 of the 1008 orders are letters of intent, meaning that the C919 only has 305 firm orders (compared to the 251 that the MC-21 has!)
Certification
Both Irkut and Comac want their airliners to be certified with every aviation authority on Earth. Due to their nation of origin, both are having a harder time than Airbus or Boeing may have, but no more than another manufacturer like BA Systems.
Irkut MC-21
Despite the still ever present hostility towards Russian aircraft manufacturers, Irkut is making good progress.
Both the EASA and the FAA are set to certify the MC-21 within the coming months, after they have performed their own tests on the MC-21. If accepted, Irkut will be able to market the MC-21 further to European and American airlines.
We may even see Russian-made airliners fly in European or American airspace legally!
Comac C919
The C919 on the other hand is not so lucky. Comac have repeatedly tried (and failed) to strong-arm the FAA into giving previous Comac aircraft certification. For the C919, Comac has tried the same and has again been rebuked.
Comac too has tried to strong-arm the EASA. Instead of trying to coerce them, Comac has resorted to blackmail which also failed. Meaning that as of its release in 2021, the C919 probably won’t be able to fly in the EU or US!
Maintenance
The essence of any good airliner is a strong support network. Things get broken that need replacing, tyres need replacing and aircraft need repainting every once in a while.
Whilst some of this may be down to the airline, a lot of it is down to the manufacturer as well!
Irkut MC-21
Irkut already has an extensive supply chain network throughout Eastern Europe, Russia and Asia. Meaning that it can simply add on its MC-21 maintenance crews, manuals and so without much further cost!
In preparation for when the MC-21 is given FAA and EASA certification, Irkut has partnered with Short Brothers (who have also worked with Bombardier and Embraer!) to be their European maintainers!
Comac C919
Comac currently have several maintenance plants throughout China and south-east Asia. However, outside of Asia, Comac has no maintenance facilities or manufacturing plants that can provide assistance.
Comac has reached out to several companies for a similar kind of deal to that or Irkut and Short Brothers, however there has been nothing official!
Price
Price is often a big player in how many aircraft an airline will buy. This is arguably why so many 737s have been sold when compared to the A320 family!
Ikrut MC-21
Ikrut are currently developing two versions of the MC-21 (the MC-21-200 and the MC-21-300) simultaneously. The MC-21-300 will be a slightly longer version of the MC-21-200. As such, there will be a slight price gap between the two.
Currently, the MC-21-200 is retailing at about $72 million and $91 million for the MC-21-300.
Comac C919
Comac is currently only developing one variant of the aircraft, although likely hopes to develop more in the future, assuming that the C919 is a success.
Currently, the C919 is retailing for around $68.7 million on average, although several sources claim this is lower than that! (However it must also be mentioned that Comac refuses to publicly announce its price unless an airline approaches them for the price!)
Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919: Opinions
There is an interesting forum thread on Airliners.net about the Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919. Essentially, this thread talks about which one has more chance of being a success- the C919 or the MC-21.
Most of the people debating on the forum are avgeeks, and their views represent what most other avgeeks I’ve talked to suggest!
As a general rule avgeeks seem to like the MC-21 over the C919. This is mostly down to the fact that Comac wants to get their aircraft onto the market via force whereas Ikrut is willing to let the engineering prove itself.
Indeed, Ikrut is quite confident that airlines, pasengers and pilots alike will have the same opinion as avgeeks on the MC-21. According to Russian Aviation Insider, Ikrut believes it will sell 1000 units in 20 years, a first in Russian aviation!
Indeed, when I asked many other avgeeks the question of “Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919?” They brought up this very notion!
Summary
As with many aircraft comparisons, there is a lot of politics surrounding it.
Although when I asked avgeeks “Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919?” There were several who were hopeful that the C919 would enter service in the near future and out perform the MC-21 and take on both Airbus and Boeing!
Personally, I think it’s going to be unlikely that either aircraft will displace either the A320 or the 737 families. Although I do believe that they’ll become a cheaper alternative for financially struggling airlines!
This is down to the fact that both the C919 and the MC-21 will retail at $72 million compared to the $82 million of the 737-800 and $110.8 million for the A320neo!
Irkut MC-21 vs Comac C919: Who wins? Tell me in the comments!
Featured image courtesy of Dmitry Terekhov via Flickr.