China's C919 makes 1st international flight in challenge to Boeing, Airbus

TransportationCOMAC-built jet flies to Mongolian capital in debut service outside ChinaAir China will operate once daily round-trip service between Beijing and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, using the C919. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)SHIZUKA TANABEAugust 13, 2026 01:24 JSTGUANGZHOU -- A narrow-body jet manufactured by Commercial

China’s homegrown C919 passenger jet has finally ventured beyond the country’s borders, making its first scheduled international flight from Beijing to Mongolia.

China’s C919 has made its first scheduled international commercial flight, a milestone in COMAC’s bid to challenge Boeing and Airbus globally.

The Comac C919 will fly from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, although experts say it could take generations for it to challenge the west’s dominance of the industry China hopes to break into the world of commercial aviation with the first international flight of a Chinese-made passenger jet scheduled for Wednesday.