Bombardier has delayed the entry into service of the 110-seat CS100 to the second half of 2015, with the 135-seat CS300 following six months later.

The CSeries schedule change means first delivery could be up to 15 months beyond the latest schedule, and up to two years later than the original plan to have CS100 service entry at the end of 2013.

But extra time will allow the CSeries to make a “flawless” debut in commercial service with launch customer Malmo Aviation, says Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Mike Arcamone.

“We are very pleased that no major design changes have been identified,” he says.

The CSeries achieved first flight on 16 September last year, more than nine months behind schedule. Although Bombardier had maintained that first delivery remained on track for roughly a year later, several analysts had already adjusted their forecasts for CSeries entry-into-service for the first half of 2015.

As a result of the change the aircraft is poised to enter service around the same time as the Airbus A320neo.

Boeing plans to deliver the first 737 Max in the second quarter of 2017, while Embraer plans to deliver the first of the E2 E-Jet family in 2018.