Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, demonstrating its commitment to Korean Air and the broader Asia-Pacific marketplace, will team with the airline to showcase a full-scale cabin demonstrator for the all-new CSeries aircraft at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition from October 18 to 23.

The CSeries aircraft cabin demonstrator will appear in Korean Air’s display at the exhibition, dressed in the livery of the airline. In July 2011, Korean Air converted a letter of intent – signed in June – into a firm order to acquire 10 CS300 aircraft with an additional 10 options and 10 purchase rights on CS300 airliners. Korean Air, South Korea’s flagship airline, will be the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. The airline currently operates a fleet of 139 passenger and cargo jets to 117 cities in 39 countries.

“The CSeries family of aircraft’s spacious seating, increased shoulder space, extra large windows and upsized overhead storage will deliver a new level of widebody-style comfort in single-aisle aircraft,” said Chet Fuller, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “We’re proud that Korean Air has chosen the game-changing CS300 aircraft to meet its route expansion requirements, and we look forward to seeing the technologically advanced aircraft take to the skies in Asia.”

The cabin demonstrator, representing the latest look and feel of the CSeries aircraft interior configuration, features a business class section, an array of economy seats at various pitches and a variety of optional in-flight video displays. The five-abreast economy section delivers the most seat width per passenger in a single-aisle aircraft, with five per cent to 10 per cent more seat width than competitors’ five- and six-abreast aircraft. For added passenger comfort, the CSeries aircraft also features a middle seat that is one-half inch wider.

Wider windows, which are positioned at every seat row in the CSeries aircraft, set new standards for single-aisle aircraft by allowing more light into the cabin and providing generous viewing angles. Large overhead storage bins offer 20 to 25 per cent more luggage volume per passenger than current narrowbody aircraft.

The CSeries family of aircraft combines advanced materials, leading-edge technology and proven methods to meet commercial airline requirements in 2013 and beyond. The CS300 aircraft is scheduled to enter into service in 2014.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1500G engines, the CSeries aircraft family will offer a 15* per cent cash operating cost advantage and a 20* per cent fuel burn advantage; greatly reduced noise and emissions; as well as superior operational flexibility, exceptional airfield performance and a range of 2,950 nm (5,463 km).

Bombardier has booked 133 firm orders for the CSeries family of airliners, as well as 119 options and 10 purchase rights on CSeries jetliners. In addition to Korean Air, other customers that have firm orders for CSeries aircraft include Republic Airways (40 CS300 aircraft), Deutsche Lufthansa AG (30 CS100 aircraft), Lease Corporation International Group (17 CS300 and three CS100 aircraft), Braathens Aviation (five CS100 and five CS300 aircraft), a well-established, unidentified airline (three CS100 aircraft), an unidentified major network carrier (10 CS100 aircraft) and an unidentified European customer (10 CS100 aircraft).

With the Q400 NextGen airliner, CRJ NextGen regional jets and the CSeries family of jetliners, which is optimized for the growing 100- to 149-seat market, Bombardier is well positioned to meet the Asia-Pacific region’s growing air transportation needs. Bombardier projects that the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China) will experience above average fleet growth in the 20- to 149-seat segment over the next 20 years, with delivery of 1,700 aircraft and 770 units retiring from service. Total fleet size in the 20- to 149-seat segment in the region is projected to grow by 78 per cent and reach 2,120 aircraft by 2030.

Bombardier press release