China Eastern Takes Delivery Of Its 1st WiFi Equipped COMAC C919

At 9:47 a.m. on November 28, the Chinese self-developed Comac C919, bearing the registration number B-657T, successfully completed ferry flight MU9002 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

This marks the fifth C919 received by China Eastern Airlines in 2024 and the first in the world equipped with a cabin-based local area network (LAN), enabling a new era of onboard connectivity and entertainment.

First-in-class in-flight connectivity

The latest C919 is the first to feature a passenger cabin LAN service provided entirely through Chinese domestically-developed equipment. This innovative system allows travelers to connect their personal devices—such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops—to the wireless hotspot “CEAIR-WIFI” after activating airplane mode.

By accessing the platform at www.muflyer.com, passengers can explore various entertainment options, like “Air Cinema” for watching movies, “Air Games” for in-flight gaming, and other features such as destination guides and museum recommendations.

This new service transforms the in-flight experience, enabling passengers to enjoy activities such as gaming and movie-watching while traveling on C919. Each seat is labeled with instructions for accessing the LAN, making it intuitive for passengers to connect and explore the offerings.

Advanced systems powering the future

The innovative LAN system was developed by China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), which has completed the necessary certification processes. The system uses a high-speed gigabit Ethernet backbone and integrates wireless features with a head-up display in-flight entertainment system. It supports dynamic load balancing and wireless channel optimization, enabling full-cabin high-definition video-on-demand services. The infrastructure is future-ready, with reserved 5G and satellite communication interfaces that will allow for seamless upgrades as technology evolves.

The service, currently in trial operation, will be gradually expanded to all of China Eastern’s C919 aircraft. To ensure fresh and engaging content, the airline has designed a specialized “content library” for the LAN, which will be updated regularly with new features and materials.

China Eastern’s Wi-Fi Milestone: A First, But Not the Earliest

Although China Eastern Airlines has now taken delivery of nine COMAC C919 aircraft, with the latest marking its first equipped with onboard Wi-Fi, it is not the first airline to deploy a Wi-Fi-enabled C919 in commercial operations. That distinction goes to Air China, which introduced the feature from the very start.

Air China received its first C919 on August 26, 2024, an extended-range (ER) variant equipped with a cabin-based Wi-Fi system. This aircraft started commercial operations before long. The ER variant of the C919 is unique to Air China, with enhanced performance, extended range, and a more spacious cabin layout designed for optimal passenger comfort.

Earlier this month, Air China received its second C919, which also features an onboard Wi-Fi system. It has been deployed on the Beijing-Wuhan route, operating daily flights. With this rapid integration of C919 aircraft, Air China has set a benchmark in combining connectivity, comfort, and advanced technology, making it a leader in adopting domestically developed aviation innovations.

While China Eastern has now begun equipping its C919s with Wi-Fi, Air China’s strategic decision to implement this feature from its very first delivery underscores its commitment to offering a technologically advanced and passenger-focused experience.