COMAC C919 Guide and Specifications: China’s Chance to Corner the Competition

The fuel consumption of the COMAC C919.

The COMAC C919 is a narrow-body airliner developed by the Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac. It aims to compete with well-established narrowbodies like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. Here are some key details about the C919's fuel consumption:

1. Fuel Capacity:

  1. The C919 has a fuel capacity of 24,917 liters (approximately 6,582 US gallons) ⁵.
  2. This fuel capacity allows the aircraft to operate efficiently during flights.

2. Range:

  1. The C919's range depends on various factors such as atmospheric conditions, altitude, thrust level, weight, and skin contamination.
  2. In its standard passenger load (STD PL) configuration, the C919 has a range of 4,139 kilometers (2,235 nautical miles or 2,572 miles) ⁵.
  3. An extended-range (ER) version of the C919 can fly up to 5,576 kilometers (3,011 nautical miles or 3,465 miles) ⁵.
  4. The ER version aims to tackle longer routes, putting it more in line with offerings from Airbus ¹.

3. Comparison with Airbus A320:

  1. The C919 carries almost 6,000 liters less fuel than the Airbus A320 and A320neo ¹.
  2. This difference in fuel capacity significantly affects the C919's flying time.
  3. Despite this, Chinese carriers can still find suitable markets for the C919 on domestic and regional routes ¹.

In summary, while the C919 has a smaller fuel capacity compared to the A320, it aims to balance efficiency and performance. As it continues to evolve, we may see further improvements in its fuel consumption and range capabilities. 🛫✈️¹⁵.

Source: Conversation with Bing, 5/8/2024 (1) Comac C919 - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comac_C919. (2) The COMAC C919 vs Airbus A320 – An Aircraft Comparison - Simple Flying. https://simpleflying.com/comac-c919-airbus-a320/. (3) The COMAC C919 vs Boeing 737 - An Aircraft Comparison - Simple Flying. https://simpleflying.com/comac-c191-boeing-737/. (4) COMAC C919 Guide and Specifications: China's Chance to Corner the …. https://aviatorinsider.com/airplane-brands/comac-c919-guide/. (5) 5 Fast Facts About China's C919 Airplane - Simple Flying. https://simpleflying.com/china-c919-airplane-fast-facts-list/. (6) China Eastern Comac C919 - SkyTeam Virtual. https://skyteamvirtual.org/fleet/models/china-eastern-comac-c919. (7) Exclusive interview: China's C919 features safety, comfort … - CGTN. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-10-02/Exclusive-interview-China-s-C919-features-safety-comfort-efficiency-1dNHeVUCJcQ/index.html. (8) C919 gains but loses advantages - Leeham News and Analysis. https://leehamnews.com/2012/01/05/c919-gains-but-loses-advantages/.

The fuel consumption of the Airbus A320neo and A320ceo variants. 🛫

1. A320neo (New Engine Option):

  1. The A320neo is equipped with modern engines, such as the CFM LEAP-1A32 and Pratt & Whitney PW1133G.
  2. On average, the A320neo burns around 2,400 to 2,900 gallons of jet fuel every hour⁴.
  3. Its range in this configuration, under standard conditions, is about 2,865 nautical miles with a full passenger payload¹.

2. A320ceo (Current Engine Option):

  1. The A320ceo, with its older-generation engines (such as the CFM56-5B4/P and V2527-A5), burns approximately 2.5 tonnes of Jet A-1 fuel per hour. This translates to roughly 5 gallons per seat on an hourly basis during cruise flight².
  2. For a fully loaded A320ceo at a heavy weight of 70 tons (maximum), the fuel consumption is approximately 2,557 kg/hour when cruising at FL350 (typical cruise speed of Mach 0.78) under standard atmospheric conditions. This corresponds to a ground speed of 547 statute miles per hour³.

In summary, the A320neo offers improved fuel efficiency compared to the A320ceo, thanks to its advanced engine options. If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask! 😊✈️

Source: Conversation with Bing, 5/8/2024 (1) Airbus A320 Fuel Consumption/Burn Per Hour - AviationSurfer. https://www.aviationsurfer.com/airbus-a320-fuel-consumption-burn-per-hour/. (2) A321neo& narrowbody fuel burn & operating performance. https://www.aircraft-commerce.com/wp-content/uploads/aircraft-commerce-docs/General%20Articles/2019/123_FLTOPS_A.pdf. (3) A320 Fuel Burn Per Hour | Airbus A320 Fuel Consumption. https://aviationinfo.net/a320-fuel-burn-per-hour-airbus-a320-fuel-consumption/. (4) What is the fuel consumption per mile for a full CEO A320?. https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/82849/what-is-the-fuel-consumption-per-mile-for-a-full-ceo-a320.