China’s first domestically-built large passenger jet C919 successfully completed its maiden flight on Friday, landing at 3:19 p.m. (7:19 a.m. GMT) at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The C919 is a narrow-body aircraft designed to carry 168 passengers. It has a standard range of 4,075 kilometers (2,532 miles) and an extended range of 5,555 kilometers (3,452 miles).

The C919 is China’s answer to main rivals on the market, including the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), the C919’s manufacturer, said it has received 570 orders for the aircraft from 23 clients, including domestic airlines such as Air China, China Southern and China Eastern.
Overseas orders take up about 10 percent of the total, including US-based GECAS and airlines from Germany, Thailand and others from the Asia Pacific region.

The C919 has improved the aviation landscape in China and given a significant boost to the country’s aerospace industry. Analysts say the successful maiden flight shows China’s aviation industry has entered an upgrade period, with upcoming work on testing, production and delivery.

TIMELINE: Development of C919, China’s first commercial jetliner

The maiden flight of the C919, China’s first home built commercial passenger aircraft, was several years in the making. Let’s have a look at some milestones along the way in this first …

How does the Chinese-made passenger jet C919 differ from its competitors?

After eight and a half years of development, China’s first domestically-built large passenger jet, the C919, manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is ready for its trial flight. The achievement marks China’s attempt at breaking into a market dominated by the West, especially when it comes to commercial jetliners.

Three-minute overview: A look back at the final assembly of China’s first home-built passenger jet #C919 pic.twitter.com/qkesvdJOfJ

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) May 5, 2017