Since an engine is seen as the″heart″of an airplane,the objective and scientific evaluation of it is significant to ensure normal operation of airlines.Aiming at the limitations of current studies on selecting engines,a quantitative comprehensive evaluation system of engine options was established and an optimization model based on the utility theory and analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was proposed.Considering the judgement of different customers on the balance between income and risk,the utility of each evaluation index was determined by utilizing the piecewise utility function.The AHP was used to analyze individual demands of customers.Finally,the optimal scheme was selected through calculating the weighted utility value.According to the actual needs of a domestic airline,the utility of three engine options was calculated.The results showed that the value of risk factor can be set to determine the selection scheme based on the degree of preferences(conservative type,neutral type or adventurous type). Since an engine was seen as the “heart” of an airplane, the objective and scientific evaluation of it is significant to ensure normal operation of airlines. Aiming at the limitations of current studies on selecting engines, a quantitative comprehensive evaluation system of engine options was established and an optimization model based on the utility theory and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was proposed. Consumption of different customers on the balance between income and risk, the utility of each evaluation index was determined by utilizing the piecewise utility function. AHP was used to analyze individual demands of customers. Finally, the optimal scheme was selected through calculating the weighted utility value. According to the actual needs of a domestic airline, the utility of three engine options was calculated. The results showed that the value of risk factor can be set to determine the selection scheme based on the degree of preferences (conservative type, neutral type o r adventurous type).