On June 14, China's domestically produced C919 aircraft expanded its routes. At 9:37 a.m., China Eastern Airlines' inaugural C919, registered as B-919A, embarked on flight MU5309 from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport with 162 passengers aboard. This marks the official commencement of the C919's fourth commercial regular route.
The flight landed at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport at 11:30 a.m. and was greeted with a water salute, signifying a warm welcome for the aircraft and its passengers.
China's C919 jetliner, registered as B-919A, embarked on flight MU5309 from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. It was greeted with a water salute at Baiyun Airport. (Photo provided to GDToday)
As the pioneering user and currently the sole commercial operator of the C919, China Eastern Airlines now boasts a fleet of six C919 aircraft. The airline operates C919 passenger jets on routes such as Shanghai Hongqiao - Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Hongqiao - Chengdu Tianfu, and Shanghai Hongqiao - Xi'an Xianyang.
Earlier this month, on June 1, China Eastern Airlines conducted its first cross-border commercial flight with the C919, transporting students from Hong Kong SAR participating in an internship program. Since its maiden commercial flight on May 28, 2023, until June 13, 2024, the C919 fleet has completed a total of 2,360 commercial flights, accumulating over 6,560 flight hours and serving more than 300,000 passengers.
Passengers taking photos with the C919 jetliner. (Photo: Nanfang Plus)
The "Shanghai-Guangzhou Express" has become a focal point for China Eastern Airlines, with 36 daily round-trip flights, averaging one flight per hour and one every half hour during peak times. The route transports over 150,000 passengers monthly.
As per the current schedule, its C919 aircraft will operate two flights on the Shanghai Hongqiao-Guangzhou Baiyun route, with flight MU5309 departing Shanghai Hongqiao at 9:30 a.m. and arriving in Guangzhou at 11:55 a.m. The return flight, MU5316, departs Guangzhou at 1:30 p.m. and lands in Shanghai at 4:00 p.m.
According to China Eastern Airlines, it will continue to receive C919 aircraft as planned this year, with further expansion of new routes.
Author | Hannah
Editor | Nan, Monica, James
