Latest Update on MS-21 from 2016: None of its counterparts can match this year's premier passenger aircraft design
Russian MC-21 Narrow-Body Airliner Takes Flight Amidst Market Challenges
The MC-21, a modern Russian narrow-body airliner, is making waves in the aviation industry as it competes with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families. Irkut Corporation, the aircraft's creator, has received orders for 175 MC-21 aircraft, with Aeroflot planning to acquire 50 of them.
The MC-21's key characteristics include a fuselage length ranging from 36.8m (MC-21-200) to 46.7m (MC-21-400), seating capacity between 132 and 212 depending on the variant, a wingspan around 35.9-36.8m, and cruising speeds of Mach 0.87. The aircraft features composite-material wings to reduce weight and wider aisles and seats for greater passenger comfort.
Powering the MC-21 is the Russian-made Aviadvigatel PD-14 high-bypass turbofan engine. This engine, designed to replace foreign engines originally planned for the program, has undergone extensive testing and was certified by Russian authorities (Rosaviatsia) in 2018. The PD-14 produces about 14 tonnes-force (around 138 kN) of thrust.
The first PD-14-powered MC-21-310 variant had its maiden flight on 15 December 2020, with continued testing and development into 2025. The delivery of production batches of the PD-14 engine has been advancing, with a new batch delivered to a test facility as recently as February 2025.
However, the MC-21's market entry is not without challenges. The aircraft's price has significantly increased, nearly doubling to about $96 million by early 2025, making it one of the more expensive aircraft in its class. Operational concerns remain for buyers, primarily due to the uncertainty over the PD-14 engine's long-term efficiency and maintenance compared to well-established engines like the Pratt & Whitney engines previously planned for the program.
Despite these challenges, the MC-21 offers several advantages. Operating the MC-21 aircraft with the PD-14 engine is 14-17% cheaper, with a 30-45% reduction in harmful emissions. The aircraft's unique design also allows for a reduction in airport turnaround time by 20%.
The MC-21 is targeted at the most efficient segment of the global aviation market and features a wide central aisle and pivoting overhead bins for quickened passenger boarding and disembarkation. The aircraft family consists of two models: MC-21-200 (132-165 passengers) and MC-21-300 (163-211 passengers).
The PD-14 engine, powering the new MC-21, has passed the first stage of testing and confirmed full compliance with declared characteristics. The creators of the PD-14 engine aimed to develop a powerplant that surpasses CFM56 and V2500, and challenges upcoming foreign engines like PW 1000 and CFM Leap X families.
The MC-21 was developed by the Irkut Corporation and has already flown on its first flight, scheduled for December 2016 to February 2017. The rollout ceremony of the MC-21 was attended by Dmitry Medvedev, Arkady Dvorkovich, Dmitry Rogozin, Denis Manturov, and Oleg Demchenko. Oleg Demchenko, President of the Irkut Corporation, stated that the MC-21 will be the best in its class.
The MC-21's features are designed to reduce operating costs, enhance passenger comfort, and meet future environmental impact regulations. The PD-14 engine offers a 10-15% lower fuel consumption and a 15-20% reduced life cycle cost compared to its counterparts. The MC-21 can operate in all climatic zones, making it a versatile addition to any airline's fleet.
The MC-21, with its advanced technology and design, is poised to make an impact not just in the aviation industry, but also in the broader realm of finance, as the costs of operating the aircraft are 14-17% cheaper and have a 30-45% reduction in harmful emissions. In the realm of technology, the PD-14 engine, powering the MC-21, was designed to surpass established engines like the Pratt & Whitney and challenge upcoming foreign engines, thereby strengthening Russia's stance in the aerospace sector.
