China unveils plan for new 800-passenger jet with massive 230ft wingspan in bid to rival Boeing

CHINA has unveiled plans for a gargantuan 800-passenger capacity jet with a record-breaking 230ft wingspan in a bid to rival Boeing. The ambitious aircraft would abandon the standard tube-and-wing design to form one broad flying wing. China has unveiled plans for an ambitious 800-passenger ‘flying wing’ jetCredit: Refer to source The mega sky bus would have a wingspan 1.6 wider than a B-2 stealth bomber Credit: Alamy At a width of 230ft, it would have a wingspan roughly 1.6 times greater than a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Its capacity would also dwarf that of the currently largest passenger jet in the world, the Airbus A380, which typically seats around 555 people. Sign up for the Tech newsletter Thank you! The concept is being developed by the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Centre (CARDC), a national institute that has pioneered key aviation projects. The centre spearheaded the development of the C919 narrowbody airliner and the Y-20 military transport aircraft. China is also pressing ahead with a new 280-seat long-range widebody jet, the C929, which is touted to make its first flight around 2030. State-owned manufacturer Comac is also developing the C949 quiet supersonic airliner, with an estimated completion date around 2050. The project has drawn parallels with Nasa‘s X-59 supersonic technology. China’s latest flying-wing passenger jet, which has not been named publicly, has been described as a pioneering project testing radical configurations. Most read in Tech China’s recent aviation innovations include the C919 narrow-body airliner Credit: Getty The national research institute also designed the revolutionary Y-20 military transport aircraft Credit: Ministry of National Defense People's Republic of China What makes this latest project stand out is its more than 800 passenger scale. Research reportedly started with a much more commercially familiar concept of around 250 passengers, which is roughly the capacity of an Airbus A330 or Boeing 767. It would also differ greatly in interior design. While a normal jumbo jet is divided into two long corridors, the flying wing could instead be divided into several broad passenger bays. The plane could potentially create family sections, as well as business and quiet zones. It would also provide intimate private cabins, larger galleys, as well as social areas and lounges. The configuration could also improve cabin noise levels. Flying wings often put their engines above the rear area of the body, which would help shield noise from the passengers below. The mega sky bus would also gain an unusual advantage at busy airports, carrying the same number of passengers as two to three normal flights but only requiring one runway movement. The project’s closest comparison is JetZero’s Z4, a blended-wing aircraft being developed in the United States. JetZero is aiming for up to 50 per cent better fuel efficiency that other commercial jets, while targeting a range of 5,000 nautical miles. Unlike China’s unnamed concept, the project is targeting 2027 for its first full-scale demonstrator flight and entry into service planned for the early 2030s. Comment now