These 7 planes are trying to end Airbus and Boeing’s dominance in the skies

Airbus A320 neo

AP

The single-aisle airliner market is one of the most lucrative and hotly contested segments in the aviation business. But for the past 15 years, that white-hot competition has almost exclusively been between two companies — Airbus and Boeing. 

In recent years, companies from around the world have launched aircraft aimed at breaking the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. 

On Monday, China’s COMAC and the Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation announced a joint venture called the China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation or CRAIC. According to the two companies, the new joint venture will be tasked with developing a new long-range wide-body airliner. 

CRAIC is the product of a joint venture agreement signed by COMAC and UAC in June of 2016 with the blessing of Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russian president Vladimir Putin. 

“We will cooperate sincerely with UAC, unite as one, and strive to make the program a model of Sino-Russian cooperation,” COMAC chairman Jin Zhuanglong said in a statement. “We will follow the latest international mainstream airworthiness standards, build more competitive long-range widebody aircraft, and strive to provide customers with better service and make new contributions to the global aviation market.”

The new JV will be will be based in Shanghai near COMAC’s existing facilities and will also produce its future aircraft in the Chinese city. 

In addition to the new Sin0-Russia wide-body, there is a slew of state-of-the-art airplanes from around the world designed to challenge Airbus’ and Boeing’s market dominance. 

But before we get to their challengers, let’s take a look at the next generation offerings from Airbus and Boeing.

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Airbus A320neo family

The Airbus A320neo family of airplanes are updated versions of the company’s original A320-family with new-generation engines and optimized aerodynamics.

The line up of medium-range airliners includes a trio of models — the 160-seat A319neo, the 189-seat A320neo, and the 240-seat A321neo. All three variants can be equipped with modern CFM LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofan engines. 

Thus far, Airbus has more than 5,000 orders for the various versions of the A320neo. The first A320neos entered service in early 2016.

 

Airbus A350XWB

The Airbus A350 XWB or Extra Wide Body is a family of next-generation long-haul widebody airliners. More than 70% of the aircraft is built using carbon composites, titanium, and advanced aluminum alloys. As a result, Airbus claims the A350 delivers 25% lower operating costs, fuel burn, and C02 emissions.  

For increased passengers comfort, the cabin of the aircraft is pressurized to 6,000 ft. of altitude. 

The A350 can be had in three different versions — the 280-seat Dash 800, the 325-seat Dash 900, and the 366-seat Dash 1000. All versions of the A350 are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB turbofan engines.  The A350 has a maximum range of more than 11,000 miles. 

Through April 2017, Airbus has 831 orders for the A350. Eighty-one of the planes are already in service with 12 operators. 

 

Airbus A330neo

The A330neo or New Engine Option is an upgraded version of the existing Airbus A330 with next fuel-efficient engines, a new wing design, and avionics. The A330neo can be had with 257 seats or 287 seats. 

All versions of the A330neo will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 turbofan engines. Through the end of April, Airbus has 210 orders for the A330neo. 

 

Boeing 737 MAX-Series

Like the A320neo, the 737 MAX is the latest version of Boeing’s long-serving short-to-medium range airliner that it has been selling for 50 years.

For MAX duty, Boeing gave its 737 new engines, wings, avionics, and a slew of other updates. The 737 MAX series is made up of four different variants — the 149-seat 737 MAX7, the 189-seat MAX8, the 200-seat MAX200, and the 220-seat MAX9.

The updated 737 is available with new CFM LEAP-1B turbofan engines. Boeing has more than 3,700 orders for the 737MAX and entered service in May. 

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The 787 Dreamliner is a family of next-generation long-range widebody airliners. The carbon-composite Dreamliner is available in three guises  — the 242-seat Dash 8, the 290-seat Dash 9, and the 330-seat Dash 10. 

The Boeing 787 is capable of delivering more than 8,700 miles of range while coddling passengers in a cabin optimized for more comfort and reduced jetlag. 

Boeing Dreamliners are powered by either General Electric GENx-1B or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. 

Through April 2017, Boeing has more than 1,200 orders for the Dreamliner. 

Boeing 777X

The Boeing 777X is the latest development of the company’s wildly successful 777 family of airliners. Under development, the 777X is expected to replace not only existing versions of the 777 but also Boeing’s iconic 747 jumbo jet.

The 777X is available in two versions ranging from 350 to 425 seats and will be powered by General Electric GE9X engines. According to industry analysts, the 777X is expected to deliver unit costs lower than that of the Airbus A380 superjumbo. 

Through April, Boeing has 306 orders for the 777X, which are expected to enter service in late 2019.

Bombardier C-Series

The Bombardier C-Series is Airbus’ and Boeing’s most prominent rival. Although the Canadian airplane maker has long been a major player in regional airliners, the C-Series is the first time the company has had to compete against the US and European titans. 

The Bombardier airliner has, thus far, struggled to net the level of sales as the 737 and the A320. But the C-Series has garnered critical acclaim for its performance, fuel efficiency, and design. 

The C-Series lineup consists of two variants of the plane — the 133-seat CS100 and the 160-seat CS300. In the marketplace, the C-Series competes against the Boeing 737MAX7 and the Airbus A319neo. 

Like the A320neo, the C-Series is powered by a version of Pratt & Whitney’s revolutionary geared turbofan engines — the PW1500G. The Bombardier C-Series entered commercial service in 2016 and has more than 300 firm orders for the plane. 

Embraer E-Jet E2

Like Bombardier, Embraer is also a major regional airliner powerhouse that’s moving up to the big leagues to compete against Airbus and Boeing. Embraer’s contender is the second generation of the company’s E-Jet called the E2. Even though the first generation airplane made a living mostly with regional airlines, Embraer is marketing the second generation as a smaller alternative to the A319 and the MAX7. 

The E2 lineup comprises three variants — the 88-seat E175-E2, the 106-seat E190-E2, and the 132-seat E195-E2. 

The E2 is powered by two versions of Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engine.

The Embraer E-Jet E2 is expected to enter service in 2018. The Brazilian airplane maker currently has roughly 270 orders for its latest jet. 

Mitsubishi MRJ

The Mitsubishi MRJ is Japan’s first native commercial airliner in 50 years. The MRJ or Mitsubishi Regional Jet lineup is made up of the 80-seat MRJ70 and the 92-seat MRJ90. Although the MRJ variants are much smaller any of the offerings from Airbus or Boeing, the plane represents a domestic alternative for a country whose airlines have long been one of Boeing’s most loyal customers.

The MRJ will also be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engine. The Mitsubishi airliner is expected to enter service in 2018. The company currently has more than 220 orders for the MRJ.

COMAC ARJ21

The COMAC ARJ21 is China’s first modern airliner. COMAC or Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, was founded in 2008 to design and produce indigenous airplanes for the country’s burgeoning airline industry.

According to Boeing, Chinese airlines are expected to order more than 6,300 airplanes over the next 20 years with a total value topping $1 trillion.

The ARJ21 is a 90-seat regional airliner designed for short-to-medium range duty. It’s powered by a pair of General Electric CF34-10A engines. The Chinese government-owned company currently has almost 350 orders for the plane — mostly from domestic airlines and leasing companies. The ARJ21 entered service in late 2015 .

COMAC C919

The C919 is COMAC‘s first mainline jet designed to go head-to-head with the A320neo and the 737 MAX. The 168-seat jet is expected to be powered by a pair of CFM LEAP-1C engines.

Thus far, COMAC has 517 orders for the C919 with almost all of them from Chinese operators. The Shanghai-built airliner is expected to make its first flight next year and enter service sometime after 2020.

The C919 made its maiden flight in May of 2017. 

Irkut MC-21

The Irkut MC-21 is the latest airliner to emerge from the Russian aviation industry. The MC-21 will be available in two versions — the 165-seat MC-21-200 and the 211-seat MC-21-300. The MC-21 is available with two engine options — the Russian Aviadvigatel PD14 and the American Pratt & Whitney PW1440G geared turbofan.

Irkut currently has 175 orders the MC-21— made almost exclusively by Russian airlines and leasing companies.

Although Irkut does not have a track record in the commercial aviation space, the company and its Yakovlev subsidiary have a long history building some of the world’s elite military aircraft. 

In addition, Irkut also manufactures components for the rival Airbus A320. 

CRAIC 929

China-Russia Commercial Aircraft International Corporation has been set up to develop an aircraft capable of breaking up Airbus’ and Boeing’s duopoly in the widebody airliner market. 

The Sino-Russian jetliner remains unnamed, however, it has commonly been referred to as the 929. Little is know about the aircraft, however, CRAIC is aiming for a 280-seat widebody with a range of more than 7,500 miles. The 929 is expected to take roughly a decade to develop. 

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