[1] While the official series name of the aircraft is Kunpeng, a mythical giant fish-bird from the Taoist classic Zhuangzi, it is nicknamed "Chubby Girl" (Chinese: 胖妞; pinyin: Pàng niū) in the Chinese aviation industry because its fuselage is much wider than aircraft previously developed in China.

However, the general designer of Y-20 declared that those who refused to implement MBD would be banned from participating in the Y-20 program, thus forcing everyone to comply, resulting in increases in productivity.

According to news reports, the variant of the Y-20 powered by new WS-20 engines had entered operational service with the People's Liberation Army Air Force by April 2023 at the latest.

[18] The Y-20's cabin incorporates flame-retardant composites developed by the 703 Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

The 703 Institute achieved another milestone by establishing a comprehensive Chinese evaluation and certification system for aircraft composite materials based on international standards.

[21][20] The Chinese had also always intended to replace the Soloviev D-30KP-2 with the 14-ton thrust Shenyang WS-20, which was required for the Y-20 to achieve its maximum cargo capacity of 66 tons.

[28] In 2014, a report from the People's Liberation Army's National Defence University stated that the PRC's civil and military transport needed 400 Y-20s.

[5] According to a 2023 assessment by Aviation Week, the Y-20 was scheduled to replace Russian airframes, including the Ilyushin Il-76 and H-6U tanker variants.

Analyst Matt Jouppi suggested airborne early warning and control was likely under development and that by 2032 China would likely have 75 YY-20 tankers and more than 100 Y-20 transport planes.

[36] On 5 June 2021, PLAAF transport aircraft fleet, including Y-20, was observed patrolling the South China Sea, which was accused of intrusion by Malaysia.

[9] Japanese Air Self-Defense Force analyst Aita Moriki believed the Chinese action was to display airborne corp's power projection capabilities.

[39] On 9 April 2022, six Y-20 aircraft landed at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport in Serbia, reportedly delivering a shipment of FK-3 surface-to-air missile systems.

[41] On 1 August 2022, Senior Colonel and PLAAF spokesperson, Shen Jinke, told a press conference that Y-20 tanker aircraft started combat readiness training.

The YY-20 features redesigned landing gear sponsons with sharper front and back ends, which reduces air turbulence.

[43] In September 2022, Chinese released footage of Y-20 tankers providing aerial refueling to Chengdu J-20 fighters.

[46] On 13 July 2016, Chinese national Su Bin pleaded guilty and admitted to charges that he conspired with others to hack into U.S. defense contractor Boeing and steal documents related to the development of the C-17, F-22 and F-35 aircraft.

In addition to financial gain, court documents revealed, in emails to the Second Department of the PLA, Su Bin noted the information, "...has extremely vital significance in our country's speeding up the development," of Project A, revealed to be China's program to develop the Xi'an Y-20.