Learn what the Sukhoi Superjet 100 is, where it flies, its airline roles, why export use declined and how it differs from the SJ-100.
The Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100) is a Russian twin-engine regional airliner built for short- and medium-haul routes. In real-world aviation, it is a roughly 90–100-seat passenger jet used mainly by Russian airlines, although earlier fleets also served Europe, Mexico and parts of Asia.
In our Aviation & Real-World Flying coverage, we classify it alongside regional jets such as the Embraer E-Jet and Bombardier CRJ families, rather than full-sized medium-haul aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.
What kind of aircraft is the SSJ100?
The SSJ100 is a single-aisle regional jet with two underwing PowerJet SaM146 turbofan engines and a typical five-abreast cabin. Designed by Sukhoi Civil Aircraft, it first flew in 2008 and entered airline service in 2011; its formal type designation is RRJ-95.
The main versions usually carry around 90 to 100 passengers, depending on seat spacing and cabin layout. Published range figures are roughly 3,000 kilometres for standard variants and about 4,500 kilometres for long-range versions, but payload, reserves, weather and runway conditions reduce what is practical on a given flight.
Its purpose is to serve routes that do not need the capacity of a larger narrow-body. That includes regional feeder flights, lower-demand links between major cities and direct services between secondary airports. Despite the word regional, the standard airliner is not a rough-field aircraft: it normally requires a suitable paved runway and conventional airline ground support.
Where is the Sukhoi Superjet 100 used?
The SSJ100's commercial fleet is concentrated in Russia, where it operates scheduled domestic services, charters and specialist transport flights. Airlines strongly associated with the type include Rossiya, Azimuth, Red Wings, Yakutia, IrAero and Gazpromavia, although individual fleet assignments change.
| Type of use | Typical operation | Main area |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled passenger service | Regional links, hub feeding and thinner domestic routes | Principally Russia |
| Charter and corporate transport | Workforce, group and business flights | Russia and nearby markets |
| Government transport | Official or VIP-configured operations | Russia and a limited number of foreign state fleets |
| Historical export service | Scheduled flights and European wet-lease operations | Mexico, Armenia, Indonesia, Laos and parts of Europe |
Russia's long domestic sectors and numerous regional centres suit the aircraft's capacity, but not every route fits its performance. Longer services may require payload restrictions or a larger aircraft, especially with strong headwinds, demanding reserves or limited runway length.
Why is the Superjet uncommon outside Russia?
Export use declined because operators faced a small global support network, parts delays, engine-maintenance concerns and weaker fleet economics than those of more widely supported regional jets. Post-2022 trade restrictions made support for the original aircraft's foreign-supplied systems still more complicated, but several overseas operators had already withdrawn it.
Mexico's Interjet operated the largest export fleet before its wider financial collapse, while CityJet ended the European wet-lease operation associated with the type. A mistake we see is treating the small Western fleet as proof that the aircraft was never certified there: the original SSJ100 received European certification, but certification alone does not guarantee economical maintenance, reliable parts supply or a large resale market.
Is the SSJ100 the same as the newer SJ-100?
The original SSJ100 and the newer SJ-100 are related but should not be treated as identical aircraft. The original uses SaM146 engines and substantial foreign-supplied equipment, while the SJ-100, also called Superjet New, is an import-substituted development associated with Yakovlev branding and intended to use Russian systems and PD-8 engines.
Names are sometimes used loosely in articles and simulator listings. Check the stated model and engine type rather than assuming that “SSJ100”, “SJ-100” and “Yakovlev Superjet” always describe the same configuration.
Can you fly a Sukhoi Superjet 100 in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
The Superjet is available as a community aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Our downloadable Superjet 100-95 aircraft package provides a simulator representation of the regional jet, while our broader MSFS freeware aircraft and add-on library contains other airliners for comparison.
Check the download listing's supported simulator version and installation notes before adding it. An MSFS label does not automatically guarantee identical behaviour across Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024, and a freeware cockpit should not be treated as an operational manual for the real aircraft.