The First Serial MS‑21‑310 Covered 4,000 km Without Landing: What It Means for Russia’s Airline Fleet

Long Flight Without Intermediate Stops

On August 3 2026, from the Yakovlev airfield of the Irkutsk aircraft plant, the first serial MS‑21‑310 took off. The aircraft, fitted entirely with Russian parts and PD‑14 engines, flew more than four thousand kilometres without a single landing and touched down in Zhukovsky at the Gromov Air Force Academy base. Time aloft was just under six hours, the ceiling reached about 12 000 metres, and in the upper atmosphere it cruised at roughly 850 km/h.

Who Was in the Cockpit

At the controls were two veteran test pilots – Heroes of Russia Roman Taskaev and Oleg Kononenko. Sitting alongside them was chief flight‑test engineer Alexander Popov, who monitored every system. They reported that none of the subsystems showed any anomalies and the flight proceeded without technical glitches.

Technical Innovations

The MS‑21‑310 belongs to the medium‑range narrow‑body class; you can line it up against the Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737. Its main distinction is the fully domestic equipment. Instead of American PW1400G engines, the plane carries Russian PD‑14s, and all avionics and control systems are made in Russia. It is the first serial airframe built at the Irkutsk plant rather than in an experimental setup.

What Happens After the Flight

After landing in Zhukovsky, the aircraft will be inspected by specialists from United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). A thorough check of every system is planned, followed by preparation for painting in the future customer’s livery. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the flight accounts for roughly half of the certification test program. The remaining phase will involve further flight checks and a final assessment against international standards.

Certification as a Key Step

Without completing certification, the MS‑21 cannot enter regular service. Work is under way to obtain a type certificate that will allow deliveries to airlines. Mass deliveries are expected only after official confirmation that all regulations are met.

How This Will Affect Air Transport

Russia’s airline fleet is aging, and the import of new jets is constrained by political and economic factors. The arrival of a fully domestic medium‑range aircraft should cut reliance on foreign manufacturers. Together with the already‑operating SSJ‑100, the MS‑21 can cover most domestic and short‑haul international routes.

Until the new jets fill the timetable, the impact will be gradual. As serial aircraft arrive, airlines will be able to raise flight frequencies, improve punctuality and offer more modern comfort to passengers. For tourists, that translates into more reliable domestic connections, especially in regions where outdated planes are still in service.

What to Expect Next

The next step is finishing the flight tests and securing the certificate. After that, UAC will start deliveries to its first customers, and the Irkutsk production line will run at full capacity. The first commercial flights are expected to launch in the coming years, once certification is complete.

Summary

The nonstop Irkutsk‑to‑Zhukovsky flight showed that Russian systems can handle long hauls without trouble. It’s a solid practical sign that the MS‑21‑310 is ready for further development. If certification proceeds without delays, Russian airlines will gain a modern tool for fleet renewal and service quality improvement.

Based on materials from: trn-news.ru.