In early March, Bombardier said that it had started month-long CS100 aircraft route-proving exercises in Europe. The dedicated CS100 is operated by Bombardier from launch operator Swiss Air Line’s base in Zurich. The exercises are scheduled to include main European cities such a Brussels, Vienna, and Warsaw.

“The European program is very important to us and will provide a real indication of how the aircraft will operate in our network when we take delivery of our first CS100 aircraft in the next few months,” said Peter Wojahn, Chief Technical Officer, Swiss.

The European route-proving program follows one conducted last year across North America that included more than 35 cities.

Route-proving flights use typical airline flight routings and operational procedures. These flights will provide a good indication of how the C Series aircraft will perform in a typical airline schedule to and from different airports. Airfield performance, landings, airport turnarounds and on-ground operations are some of the important characteristics that will be observed.

Bombardier also confirmed that the last of eight flight test vehicles successfully entered the flight test program in Mirabel, Québec, about a week before the European program.

“It’s only the second CS300 flight test vehicle in the program and one that is equipped with a full production interior,” said Rob Dewar, Vice President, C Series Aircraft Program, Bombardier. “Its test program, which is dedicated to cabin and interior certification, is progressing extremely well.”

The C Series family of aircraft is a completely all-new design that focuses on the single-aisle 100- to 150-seat market segment. Bombardier says it is the first all-new airliner built for the that market in close to three decades

The company claims it employed advanced materials, state-of-the-art technologies, and advanced aerodynamics, along with Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1500G engine, to deliver a more than 10% unit cost advantage compared to similarly sized, re-engined aircraft.

Bombardier says it focused in particular on the passenger experience, offering 19-in seats, large overhead bins for carry-ons, and "the largest windows in the single-aisle market."

All noise performance testing on the CS100 aircraft has been completed and Bombardier says the data confirms “it is the quietest in-production commercial jet in its class.”

The C Series aircraft's maximum range has also been confirmed to be up to 3300 nmi, about 350 nmi more than originally targeted.

Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 678 C Series aircraft, which include firm orders for 243.