Contributor - Asia

Jennifer Meszaros

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is seeking to break into the large-cabin VIP aircraft market with a modified version of the C909 narrowbody airliner. The state-backed airframer believes the Comac Business Jet (CBJ) will prove attractive, especially in an Asia-Pacific regional market that has long been dominated by leading Western manufacturers.
Comac’s 90-seat ARJ21-700 airliner, which has since been rebranded as the C909, is the original CBJ airframe. In March 2021, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued the aircraft’s type certificate validation, almost six years after the airliner was approved.
Typical CBJ cabin configurations seat between 12 and 19 passengers, but it can be fitted out with 29 seats. Powered by a pair of General Electric CF34-10A engines, the range with eight passengers is around 2,700 nm, and the aircraft cruises at 520 knots with a certified altitude ceiling of 39,000 feet.
The CBJ has been validated to operate at high-altitude airfields such as China’s Daocheng Yading Airport at 14,470 feet. The twinjet’s required takeoff roll is 6,722 feet.
Competing with large-cabin business jets produced by Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, Dassault, Airbus, and Boeing, Comac offers several customizable cabin configurations. What the manufacturer calls Plan A seats 15 passengers with 11 luxury seats, two couches, a pair of business-class seats, a VIP suite, two lavatories, and two crew seats. Plan B accommodates 13 passengers with six couches, five luxury seats, two business-class seats, a VIP suite, two lavatories, and one crew seat.&nbsp;
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Comac Business Jet" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d05b83c3-cc95-4072-a2e4-e984f9e84f21" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202025-12-02%20at%203.58.14%20PM.png" width="1395" height="565" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Comac offers five alternative cabin interior layouts for its CBJ VIP aircraft based on the C909 airliner.</figcaption>
</figure>

Plan C maximizes lounge space for 17 passengers with 12 couches, three luxury seats, two business-class seats, a VIP suite, two lavatories, and one crew seat. Plan D seats 18, balancing nine luxury seats, three couches, six business-class seats, nine flat-available seats, a VIP suite, two lavatories, and one crew seat. Plan E is fitted out for the highest passenger capacity (29 passengers) with 22 business-class seats, four luxury seats, three couches, two flat-available seats, a VIP suite, two lavatories, and two crew seats.
The VIP suite features a double bed and private lavatory, a reception area with lie-flat first-class seats, and a meeting/dining area with an eight-seat table and satellite phone. The rear cabin area includes a bar, coffee station, oven, and flight attendant seat, while sound insulation keeps noise levels as low as 55 dB in the VIP suite and below 65 dB elsewhere.&nbsp;
Optional phased-array broadband satellite communications equipment provides high-speed internet. According to Comac, foldable boarding ladders enhance operational flexibility at airports without jet bridges.&nbsp;
The Chinese jet has significant foreign content onboard, beyond the U.S.-made engines. Western suppliers include Rockwell Collins (avionics), Liebherr (air management, landing gear, anti-icing, and air supply systems), Parker (fuel system, hydraulic energy systems, and actuation systems), Hamilton Sundstrand (electronic system, flap and slat system, APU, and primary flight controls for rudder, elevator, aileron, and interceptor), FACC (winglets), Eaton (fuel casing system and control panel and lights control system), Kidde Aerospace (fire-protection system), and Goodrich (lighting system).
CBJ operators can benefit from the extensive technical support Comac has put in place for more than 170 C909s it has so far delivered to airlines in China and across Southeast Asia. The manufacturer also produces the larger C919 airliner, seating up to 192 passengers, and is developing a 280-seat widebody called the C929 with intercontinental range.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

China’s Comac Takes On Western Rivals with Large Cabin Business Jet

Five different VIP cabin interiors available for derivative of C909 airliner

China’s Comac Business Jet is being pitched as a large-cabin alternative to VIP models produced by the likes of Gulfstream, Bombardier, Embraer, and Dassault.

China’s Comac Offers Alternative to Western Business Jets

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Honda Opens Up About Plans for Hybrid-electric VTOL Aircraft

Honda To Fly First Full-scale Hybrid eVTOL Prototype in Early 2026

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Turboprops and rotorcraft saw minor erosion year over year

GAMA: Bizjet Deliveries and Aircraft Billings Soar

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

The sector was a highlight of the Aero Asia show in Zhuhai last week

Data Shows China’s Bizav Market Is Still Growing 

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The C919 made its Middle East debut at the 2025 Dubai Airshow.

Chinese Comac 919 Airliner Flies at the Dubai Airshow

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

More In Aircraft

Honda To Fly First Full-scale Hybrid eVTOL Prototype in Early 2026

Honda Opens Up About Plans for Hybrid-electric VTOL Aircraft

GAMA: Bizjet Deliveries and Aircraft Billings Soar

Turboprops and rotorcraft saw minor erosion year over year

Data Shows China’s Bizav Market Is Still Growing

The sector was a highlight of the Aero Asia show in Zhuhai last week

Chinese Comac 919 Airliner Flies at the Dubai Airshow

The C919 made its Middle East debut at the 2025 Dubai Airshow.

UAE Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000-9 Fighter Flies at Dubai Airshow

The 2000-9 variant represents the most advanced iteration of the Mirage.

Airbus A350-1000 Airliner Flies at the Dubai Airshow

Airbus's largest version of its widebody airliner can carry a maximum of 410 passengers.

Cirrus Next Lets Owners Trade in and Upgrade

Program simplifies move to a new airplane and ensures continuous flying during the process

Bombardier Gets Moody’s Rating Upgrade

Moves to Ba/BB category with both Moody’s, S&P for the first time in more than a decade

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN