Flying the CSeries; it’s a full throated narrowbody, and that’s a problem

Today I flew on a Bombardier CS100 directly after an aircraft was  delivered to SWISS, marking the first delivery of the all-new CSeries aircraft.

SWISS, part of the Lufthansa Group, has 15 CS100s and 15 of the larger CS300s on order, plus options. Including today’s delivery at Bombardier’s facilities in Mirabel near Montreal, the airline expects to bring nine aircraft into its fleet by the end of this year and 10 in 2017.

Media were provided with a 45-minute flight after the formal hand-over on one of Bombardier's flight test aircraft, which was painted in SWISS livery and crewed by SWISS for this demo. SWISS Captain Estaban Arias flew us to 16,000ft, then went down to 10,000ft over Quebec landscapes followed by a fly-by for Bombardier employees before landing.

The takeoff was rapid and powerful; the aircraft is quiet and the cabin is very light and airy. This aircraft was equipped in all-economy configuration with 118 seats in a 2-3 layout.  I think because of the cabin width, it's  a comfortable cabin – huge windows, high ceilings and a feeling of space. Very large bins ensure that even with a full plane, every passenger can bring on a roller case. SWISS will equip its CS100s with 125 seats.

So there is much to like, from a passenger perspective, about this aircraft. Most of all, it feels new-generation and, without doubt, it is a full-throated narrowbody. Airbus COO, customers, John Leahy, has quipped that Bombardier has built “a very nice little airplane”, but the truth is when you see it and board it, there’s nothing very little about it

And that’s at the heart of Bombardier’s ongoing challenge to sell this aircraft in sufficient numbers to make it viable for the manufacturer.

The CSeries places Bombardier firmly in a very dangerous place, directly competing with Airbus and Boeing as those manufacturers bring in their new fuel-efficient narrowbodies, the A320neo and 737 MAX.

Yes, the CSeries has started to gain what it calls “marquee customers” like Air Canada and Delta Air Lines. Yes, with the aircraft finally in airline service, there will be a higher profile for the CSeries and potentially more sales momentum.

But Airbus and Boeing won’t let that happen easily. That the CSeries will be an efficient and comfortable aircraft that offers great operational performance is not in question. Whether airlines and lessors will validate having a third player in the narrowbody market with their checkbooks is a question still to be answered.

Nevertheless, today was a significant day for Bombardier, engine maker Pratt & Whitney, all suppliers and for SWISS. Here are some photos.