The Tu-214 was recently considered the main way to quickly restore the Russian fleet of medium-haul aircraft. But for commercial carriers, it turned out not to be an ideal solution. The MC-21 is coming to the forefront – a more modern machine that better meets airlines' requirements for efficiency and operation.
Let's figure out why the Russian aircraft industry is facing a difficult choice.
Three people versus two
The main problem of the Tu-214 is not the age of the design or even the engine. In its current configuration, the aircraft requires a three-person crew with a flight engineer. For an airline, this means additional costs for salary, training, and crew accommodation.
The MC-21 was originally designed to modern standards with two pilots. For the carrier, this is a more profitable scheme: there is no need to pay for the work of a third crew member on each flight, and crew training and planning become simpler.
It is the transition to a two-person cockpit that is becoming one of the key conditions for the further commercial development of the Tu-214. OAK is considering the possibility of modernizing the aircraft, but this will take time.
Heavy aircraft versus new wing
The modern production Tu-214 has a maximum takeoff weight of 110 tons and can carry up to 210 passengers. The aircraft was created based on the Tu-204 project, the development of which began in Soviet times.
The MC-21 was designed taking into account the requirements of the 21st century. New aerodynamics and a modern wing allowed for lower fuel consumption. According to estimates, specific fuel consumption is about 18.3–19.5 g per passenger-kilometer for the Tu-214 versus approximately 15.1 g for the MC-21.
On one flight, the difference may seem small, but when operating the aircraft for decades and performing thousands of flights, it turns into a significant amount for the airline.
OAK changes strategy
The Tu-214 has an important advantage – its production is already deployed in Kazan, and the aircraft is able to meet the needs of Russian carriers while awaiting mass production of the MC-21.
However, for commercial aviation, its current configuration creates additional costs, and the transition to a two-person cockpit requires separate modernization.
The situation with S7 is indicative. In early 2026, the airline signed a memorandum for 100 Tu-214s with deliveries starting in 2029. But now, in July, the agreement is under threat: the carrier demands a two-person cockpit, and OAK cannot yet guarantee its readiness by the appointed deadline.
An additional question remains state support, which should make the cost of the aircraft acceptable for the airline.