On 28 May, 2017, the maiden flight of the MC-21-300 commercial aircraft took place at Irkutsk Aviation Plant's airfield, the affiliate of Irkut Corporation (a UAC member).

The duration of the flight was 30 minutes at the altitude of 1000 meters, and a speed of 300 km/hour.

The flight plan included checking in-flight stability and controllability, and also the controllability of the power plant. During the flight a simulated landing approach was performed, followed by a flight over the runway, climbing and turning. This technique is typical for the maiden flight of new types of aircraft.

The aircraft was piloted by the crew commander Oleg Kononenko, a test pilot and a Hero of Russia, and the co-pilot Roman Taskayev, test-pilot and a Hero of Russia.

Oleg Kononenko reported, "flight mission is accomplished. The flight went in the normal mode. There are no obstacles revealed preventing the tests continuation."

Roman Taskayev noted, that "characteristics and operational modes of the power plant are confirmed, all aircraft systems operated without glitches."

Oleg Demchenko, the President of Irkut Corporation, stated, "today is the historic day for our personnel and the whole big team, which works on creation of MC-21 aircraft. We put the most advanced technical solutions in our aircraft, to provide enhanced comfort for passengers and attractive economic characteristics for air carriers. I am happy to declare the maiden flight of the MC-21 aircraft has been successfully accomplished. I congratulate all project participants on our common holiday!"

Yury Slyusar, the President of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), stressed, "MC-21 is created in a wide cooperation, where together with Irkut, other enterprises of the United Aircraft Corporation are actively participating, namely Aerocomposite company, Ulyanovsk and Voronezh aircraft plants, UAC Integration Center in Moscow. This is an important stage in the formation of the new UAC industrial model. According to our estimates, the global demand in the MC-21 segment will be about 15,000 new aircraft in the next 20 years. I'm sure the airlines will appreciate our new aircraft."

The MC-21-300, a new generation aircraft, with capacity of 163 to 211 passengers it targets the largest segment of the aviation market.

The MC-21 aircraft provides passengers with a new level of comfort, due to the largest fuselage diameter in the category of narrow-body aircraft. This design decision significantly widens the private space of each passenger, ensures easy passage of passengers and service trolleys through the aisle, and shortens airport turnover time. Natural lighting of the passenger cabin is enhanced due to big windows. Comfortable air pressure and advanced microclimate will be maintained in the aircraft.

The MC-21 aircraft features an innovative ergonomic pilot cabin.

High demands for comfort and economic effectiveness of the aircraft pushed forward the introduction of advanced technical solutions in aerodynamics, engine-building, and avionics.

The MC-21 aircraft is superior to existing counterparts in terms of flight-technical characteristics and efficiency.

The best Russian and international companies participating in MC-21 program fully comply with their obligations, while introducing their most advanced design solutions.

The major contributor to the enhancement of the flight-technical characteristics of the aircraft is the wing, made of polymer composite materials, the first-in-the-word developed for narrow-body aircraft with the capacity of over 130 passengers. The share of composites in MC-21 design exceeding 30% is unique for this category of aircraft.

For the first time in the history of Russian aircraft manufacturing, the airliner is offered to the customers with two power plant options, the PW1400G Pratt & Whitney Company (USA), or the PD-14 United Engine Corporation (Russia). New-generation engines feature reduced fuel consumption, low noise and low hazardous emissions. The MC-21 aircraft meets prospective environmental requirements.

Calculated reduction of direct operational costs for the MC-21 is 12-15% lower than it's counterparts.

The initial portfolio of orders is 175 MC-21 aircraft, utilizing production capacity in the coming years. All contracts are prepaid.