---
title: "COMAC CE-25A Completes First Manned Flight: China Takes a Step in Commercial Electric Propulsion"
description: "On November 14, China hosted the first manned flight of the COMAC CE-25A electric aircraft seating 19 passengers. Previously, the vehicle completed 19 unmanned autonomous flights."
date: 2026-11-14T13:09:40.155Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/comac-ce-25a-first-manned-flight
tags: [comac, ce-25a, electric-aircraft, china, aviation, catl]
author: "Roman V."
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# COMAC CE-25A Completes First Manned Flight: China Takes a Step in Commercial Electric Propulsion

![Red COMAC CE-25A electric aircraft on the runway during testing](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/14/comac-ce-25a-pervyi-pilotiruemyi-polet/comac-ce-25a-pervyi-pilotiruemyi-polet-1.webp)

## Key Points

- On November 14, 2026, in Binzhou (Shandong Province), the CE-25A performed its first manned intelligent flight.
- Earlier, on February 2, 2026, the aircraft flew autonomously for the first time; before manned tests, the unmanned version logged 19 flights.
- The CE-25A is COMAC's first commercial electric plane for 19 passengers with distributed electric propulsion (range 400 km, cruise 300 km/h).

On November 14, 2026, the first manned intelligent flight of the CE-25A electric aircraft took place in Binzhou, Shandong Province, China. Painted in a distinctive red color with COMAC branding and registration number B-0EFH, the aircraft became the first commercial electric plane developed by the Chinese aircraft manufacturing conglomerate COMAC. The transition from unmanned to manned testing completes an important milestone in the flight test program and brings the project to a new level of readiness.

### From Autonomous Flights to Crew Onboard

The manned flight became a logical continuation of a series of previous tests. The CE-25A first performed an unmanned autonomous flight on February 2, 2026. By the time it transitioned to manned tests, the unmanned version of the aircraft had already logged 19 autonomous flights, allowing engineers to refine control, propulsion, and intelligent flight support systems before taking the machine into the sky with people onboard.

### Who is Behind the Project

The development of the CE-25A was carried out by a consortium of Chinese companies and research organizations. Key participants include COMAC, battery manufacturer CATL, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This combination of aviation, energy, and academic expertise reflects China's typical collaborative program model in high-tech industries.

### Technical Specifications

The CE-25A is designed primarily for regional transport and accommodates 19 passengers. The maximum takeoff weight of the aircraft is 10 tons, the cruising speed reaches 300 km/h, the flight altitude is 2,400 meters, and the range is 400 km. These parameters fit the niche of short intra-regional routes where electric propulsion can compete in economic efficiency with traditional turboprop schemes.

### Distributed Electric Propulsion

The power plant of the CE-25A is built on a distributed electric propulsion scheme: the engines are placed in ducts above the wing. This approach not only reduces aerodynamic drag but also ensures high controllability through independent thrust regulation of individual drives, which is especially important for intelligent flight automation systems.

### Significance for the Industry

The successful manned flight of the CE-25A confirms that China is progressing in creating commercially viable electric aviation. For COMAC, this is the first step in the electric aircraft segment, and for the industry as a whole, a practical demonstration of the maturity of distributed electric propulsion and onboard intelligent systems. The future of the project will depend on the results of subsequent manned tests and the certification decision.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Состоялся первый пилотируемый полёт самолёта COMAC CE-25A](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/11/14/sostoialsia-pervyi-pilotiruemyi-polet-samoleta-comac-ce-25a.html) - Primary source: date 14.11.2026, Binzhou/Shandong, 19 passengers, 10 t, 300 km/h, 2400 m, 400 km, 19 autonomous flights, first autonomous flight 02.02.2026, participants COMAC/CATL/Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Photo of aircraft B-0EFH with CE-25A markings matches description.

## FAQ

### When and where did the first manned flight of the CE-25A take place?

On November 14, 2026, in the city of Binzhou, Shandong Province (China).

### How many passengers does the CE-25A hold and what routes is it built for?

The aircraft seats 19 passengers and is primarily designed for regional transport with a range of up to 400 km.

### What is distributed electric propulsion in the CE-25A?

This is a scheme where engines are placed in ducts above the wing, ensuring high controllability and efficiency of the electric power plant.