First Japan-built airliner in 50 years takes on Boeing and Airbus

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

A new, long-delayed 88-passenger jet from Japan may finally be the right plane at the right time.

More cities in Asia and Europe are seeking to link up with each other and the global air travel network. The Mitsubishi Regional Jet, the first airliner built in Japan since the 1960s, began certification flights last month in Moses Lake, Washington, to satisfy that demand.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.’s new airliner is testing the skies just as rivals are moving to sell off their manufacturing operations for jets with up to 160 seats. Boeing Co. is set to buy 80 percent of the Embraer SA’s commercial operations in a joint venture, while Bombardier Inc. last year sold control of its C Series airliner project to Airbus SE and is exploring “strategic options” for its regional-jet operations. At stake, particularly in the market for jets with fewer seats, is $135 billion in sales in the two decades through 2037, according to industry group Japan Aircraft Development Corp.

“Bombardier’s moves do indeed create opportunities for the MRJ,’’ said Richard Aboulafia, aerospace analyst at Teal Group. “It’s the biggest single factor in the MRJ’s favor.’’

With few seats and smaller fuselages, regional jets are a different class of aircraft from larger narrow-body planes such as Boeing’s 737 or Airbus’s A320. The MRJ has a range of about 2,000 miles, while a smaller variant can haul up to 76 people for about the same distance.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/first-japan-built-airliner-in-50-years-takes-on-boeing-and-airbus/ar-BBW2LJC?li=BBnbfcN

[hunter]

1. Wikipedia article...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Regional_Jet

Like automobiles, all these new airplanes look the same.

I'd like something with overhead wings just to be different.

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. I'd guess overhead wings are noisier in the passenger area, and give a poor passenger view

Heavy transport aircraft often use it, but that's not a consideration for them. It can give a better short runway performance, so some small airliners have chosen it anyway.