The MS-21 and Yak-242 were created for the same niche – medium-haul passenger transportation, but they are separated by several decades. The Yak-242 was designed in the late USSR, but the aircraft never reached serial production. The MS-21 became its significantly later competitor.
Designers at the Yakovlev Design Bureau deny any connection of the MS-21 with the old Yak-242 project, calling the new aircraft a "clean slate." But we still compared the two projects across 5 key parameters – and the result was extremely interesting.
Capacity
The Yak-242 was designed for 156–180 passengers in a single-class layout. The MS-21-310 can carry up to 211 passengers in a dense single-class layout, while the standard two-class version is designed for 163 people.
The MS-21 has a longer fuselage – 42.25 m compared to 38.25 m for the Yak-242. Here, the MS-21 looks stronger.
Speed
In this parameter, the projects are surprisingly close. The Yak-242 was supposed to develop a cruising speed of 800–850 km/h, while the MS-21-310 flies at a cruising speed of about 870 km/h.
The difference ranges from 2% to 9% depending on the cruising mode. Therefore, it is more about the development of the same concept than a leap in speed – a point in favor of the MS-21.
Range
Here the situation is more interesting. For the Yak-242, a range of up to 5000 km was declared, but only with maximum fuel and without maximum commercial payload. With maximum commercial payload, the estimate was only 1600 km.
For the modern MS-21-310, OAK indicates up to 3830 km in a two-class layout. Moreover, in June 2026, the aircraft with a load equivalent to 175 passengers already demonstrated a flight of more than 3800 km.
The winner is the MS-21, its range is confirmed by real tests.
Engines
The Yak-242 was planned to be equipped with two PS-90A12 engines with a thrust of about 12 tons each. The MS-21-310 received two PD-14 engines of 14 tons each.
The difference in thrust reaches approximately 17% per engine. In addition, the PD-14 was created specifically for a new generation of civil aircraft and received a much higher bypass ratio and a digital control system. Conclusion – the MS-21 is better here too.
Weight and Load
The estimated maximum takeoff weight of the Yak-242 was 64.6 tons, with a commercial payload of up to 18 tons. The MS-21-310's maximum takeoff weight reaches 85 tons, and its commercial payload is 21.3 tons.
The Yak-242 was noticeably lighter, but the MS-21, with a significantly greater mass, can carry more passengers and payload – the advantage becomes substantial.
Final score – 5:0 in favor of the MS-21.
Based on its estimated characteristics, the Yak-242 was a quite competitive aircraft for its time. But the MS-21 surpasses it in all five selected parameters – capacity, speed, range, engine thrust, and commercial payload.
The main difference lies elsewhere: the Yak-242 remained a project, while the MS-21 reached the stage of rigorous certification tests and preparation for series production. That is why the comparison clearly shows how far Russian civil aircraft manufacturing has advanced from the concept of the late 1980s to a modern medium-haul airliner.