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KS Ong

C Series World Tour 2017 - Kuala Lumpur

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The battle for narrow-body supremacy has been ongoing for decades between Airbus and Boeing. News of airlines placing order in the double or triple digits for Boeing’s or Airbus’s aircrafts is a norm at any major airshows today.

 

According to a Boeing Market Outlook 2016-2035 report, the demand for narrow-body aircrafts will almost doubled by 2035; mainly from Asia and the LCC market segment. In addition, technological advances in composites material and engine efficiency have aided many other narrow-body aircraft manufacturers to compete at a level playing field with the Big Boys for this lucrative market segment.

 

One of them is Bombardier and their ‘market disruptor’ C Series. Formally launched in July 2008 at the Farnborough Airshow, they have about 360 aircrafts on order. Bombardier today has delivered a total of 19 aircrafts to Swiss and airBaltic, the CS100 and CS300 launch customers. They will be delivering Korean Air’s first CS300 and a first in the Asia region, in these few weeks.

 

To further enhance their position, Bombardier has recently embarked on a two month C Series World Tour 2017 from their Mirabel home base. They will be showcasing their CS300 aircraft, C-FFDO, to 15 interested airlines at 13 major airports.

 

Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways,
Air China, China Southern, West Air, China Express,
Lion Air, Sriwijaya Air, AirAsia, Bangkok Airlines, Thai,
Air India, Royal Jordanian, Egypt Air, Royal Air Maroc.

 

September 23 - Anchorage, Alaska, USA
September 24 - Tokyo, Japan
September 26 - Beijing, China
September 27 - Shanghai, China
September 28 - Guangzhou Baiyun, China
September 29 - Chengdu Shuangliu, China
October 1 - Jakarta, Indonesia
October 2 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
October 3 - Don Mueang / Bangkok, Thailand
October 5 - Indira Gandhi / Delhi, India
October 6 - Cairo, Egypt
October 9 - Amman, Jordan
October 10 - Casablanca, Morocco
October 12 - Mirabel, Quebec, Canada

 

On 2nd October, at 2000, history was made as the first C Series landed in KUL from Jakarta. She departed the next day at 1645, to Bangkok Don Mueang. Although her stay was short, we were delighted to be given the opportunity to cover this short and momentous occasion.

 

Early morning, 3rd Oct. Typical KLIA morning misty view. The CS300 parked at remote bay A14. She will be repositioned to Satellite Terminal at gate C16 once the morning widebody rush hour is over.

3ygXbGN.jpg

 

There we already some activity at the aircraft by the time I got to the Obs Deck. Crew was in the cockpit and airstairs removed. Pushback should be soon.

a0ynOSz.jpg

 

At about 0940, the CS300 pushed back. It was interesting to see that she taxied under her own power, following a Follow Me car, insted of being towed to gate C16. Her PW engines looked huge.

vrLny6f.jpg

 

Taxiing by the Main Terminal Building slowly under her own power behind a Follow Me car. From this side view, the CS300 looked more like a mashed up plane with a A320 vertical fin, a B787 nose and a B777 tail exhaust.

pmbrphC.jpg

 

Parked at gate C16, waiting to receive her guest between 1000 until 1430.

XhqxmHZ.jpg

 

Invited guest need to register at Bombardier counter, setup in front of KLIA Premier Access, Level 5. There, we were given a temporary Airport Pass as well as a Bombardier's Black Tag. Without this Black Tag, guest were not allowed to enter the aircraft. This was a good move by Bombardier as they are abel to identify guest from airport staffs.

eDWe5ML.jpg

 

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After we have completed the necessary registration and security check, we were excorted in the airside by KLIA staffs to a waiting bus just beneath the aerotrain tracks. The bus took us to a VIP holding lounge just beneath gate C16. In there, guest were treated with light refreshment before entereing the aircraft. The catering service was served by MAS Awana Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines.

JodQvnm.jpg

 

Bombardier's C Series marketing brochure.

Interestingly, they customize their brochures according to the airports they visited. This would enable potential clients to see the range the C Series can offer from homebase with max load and max pax.

w6XHc8B.jpg

 

OEAwn4z.jpg

 

The Aircraft - To Be Continued...

 

Edited by KS Ong

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If CS100 CASK is lower than A320 neo as claimed, is a idea aircraft for a new startup or FSC to challenge LCC e.g. AK, OD.

Edited by KK Lee

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As a Malaysian we whack everything at the lounge, filling up our tanker while the lounge were still quiet before proceeding to the aircraft.

 

Prior to enter the aircraft, we were greeted by the cheerful Bombardier staff modelling her way promoting the aircraft at the door.

37547670646_099b98a19a_b.jpgIMG_20171003_123844 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

 

Upon enter the aircraft , we were surprise how bright the cabin were. With very high ceiling and very spacious aisle .

 

36926585603_e98292b63a_b.jpgcabin1 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

36926586423_90c6653939_b.jpgcabin2 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

 

Also thanks to the larger window , more natural light brightens up the cabin which gives a very comfortable environment.

The window are also positioned higher than its competitor. One can now look outside the window easier, rather than bending and twisting your body. Passenger seated at the aisle are also able to grab a good view out the window whist its almost impossible on the other narrow body aircrafts.

 

37547680216_7849e7d305_b.jpgwindow by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

Next , the seat.

 

TBC...

 

 

 

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Nice coverage from KS Ong & Hon Kit :good:

 

 

 

The window are also positioned higher than its competitor. One can now look outside the window easier, rather than bending and twisting your body. Passenger seated at the aisle are also able to grab a good view out the window whist its almost impossible on the other narrow body aircrafts.

 

37547680216_7849e7d305_b.jpg

 

 

 

I like the window size & its higher position.

 

On another note, I always find the tray table position (on any plane) is too low. Hopefully someone can come out with a smart design for a right positioned tray table when deployed.

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The Bombardier crew was exceptionally friendly towards photograhers visiting the aircraft. One is able to gauge the size of the entrance door.

5FQOirU.jpg

 

What really caught our attention was the 'note' on the right side of the door. Not certifiec airworthy?

4CEaDQK.jpg

 

The cabin crew monitor looks simple

AEDoMPT.jpg

 

As like any new planes opened up to potential customers, there are quite a number of people.

xGuQBDK.jpg

 

Looks quite spacious. You don't feel clutered eventhough there were quite a number of guest in the aircraft.

zFBQYdL.jpg

 

The 20in Asile is Bombardier's standard width for a 3 - 2, E config. Quite wide I must say. The guest were be abled moved easily without much knocking on other guest.

n1KJ0o2.jpg

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Lets continue the chapter.

 

The seat. As shown in picture below, the seat are really spacious and comfortable. Pitch is 31 inch. But this can be vary to airline's taste. They can cramp in an additional row and reduce the pitch to 28 inch (which is ridiculous).

 

36926590273_806a70777a_b.jpgseat1 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

Huge window provides a great view of the wings.

37564526172_016fcc0545_b.jpgwing2 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

36926586053_83848083aa_b.jpgwing3 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

 

 

Heres some view of the cabin. As you can see the walk way is wide which allows passenger to drag a wide piece of luggage to the back of the aircraft.

 

36926586423_90c6653939_b.jpgcabin2 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

 

 

 

And the Lavatory. Notice there is no cabinet under the basin, feel more spacious here.

 

36926583763_6dd299a79a_b.jpglavatory1 by Hon Kit, on Flickr

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