(Reuters) – Bombardier Inc’s (BBDb.TO) CSeries jetliner took flight for the first time on Monday, the culmination of a $3.4 billion program to develop the first all-new narrow-body plane of its size in decades.
The CSeries, which Bombardier says will be the world’s quietest commercial aircraft, will carry up to 149 passengers. It is the Canadian company’s big gamble to break into the hyper-competitive, larger aircraft segment currently ruled by Boeing Co (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA).
The white-and-blue CS100 test aircraft took off from outside the Bombardier plant in Mirabel, Quebec, at 9:54 a.m EDT in front of a crowd of employees, media and spectators.
Full story: Reuters – Bombardier’s all-new CSeries makes inaugural flight