China Southern Airlines has opened reservations for its inaugural flights using Comac C919 aircraft.
The airline received its first C919 on Aug. 28 during a joint ceremony with Air China, signifying the introduction of the domestically developed aircraft to all three state-owned Chinese carriers.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, China Southern plans to operate its initial C919 flights between Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). The daily service is set to commence on Sept. 19.
The airline already serves the 730-mi. (634-nm) sector up to nine times per day using a mix of Airbus A321neos, A330s, A350-900s, Boeing 737-8s, 777-300s, 787-8s and 787-9s. Up to three flights per day are also offered between Guangzhou and Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
China Eastern Airlines was the launch customer for the C919 and currently operates five routes using the aircraft type, including flying twice a day between CAN and SHA. It also flies from SHA to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) up to 8X-daily; to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport up to 7X-daily; and double-daily to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). The fifth C919 route connects PKX and XIY with two flights per day.
China Southern’s C919 aircraft will have a three-class configuration: eight in business, 18 in premium economy and 138 in economy. Its first aircraft is registered as B-919J.
The planned entry into service comes as the C919 carried its 500,000th passenger—just over 15 months after making its commercial debut in May 2023. The aircraft type has also logged more than 10,000 flight hours and completed 3,700 commercial flights.
China Eastern currently operates seven C919 aircraft and has 98 more on order. Both China Southern and Air China have each received one C919, with orders for an additional 104 and 99 aircraft, respectively.
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