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Major Airlines in China

China Airlines, issued by General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC), offers welcoming, safe, comfortable and high quality service. China has a vast array of airlines for domestic and international travel. Currently, there are nine state operated airlines in China, among them, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines are the “Big Four” airlines in China. There are also some civilian-run airways, such as Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines and Okay Airways.

No matter you travel from your countries, travel within China or get away from China, there are the right airlines for you. Check the detailed information below and know more about airlines in China.

Please Note: if you book a China tour package with China Discovery, there is no need to worry about the flight booking. Our professional travel consultants will book the air tickets which will perfectly suit for your tour arrangements and schedules. Besides, our patient guides and experienced drivers will wait for you at the right airport and transfer you to the arranged spots.

Air China

Air China

Callsign: AIR CHINA

Chinese Name: 中国国际航空公司

IATA: CA

ICAO: CCA

Alliance Member: Star Alliance

Symbol: a stylized red phoenix

Air China, founded in 1988, is the flag carrier and one of the three major airlines in China. It is headquartered in Beijing. Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport are its hubs. Air China, Air China Cargo, Dalian Airlines, Air China Inner Mongolia share the same logo.

Air China has 298 airlines, including 71 international airlines, 15 regional airlines and 212 domestic airlines. Passengers can take Air China to 31 countries and 154 cities, among which are 104 domestic cities, 50 international cities and regions.

China Eastern Airlines

China Eastern Airlines

Callsign: CHINA EASTERN

Chinese Name: 中国东方航空公司

IATA: MU

ICAO: CES

Alliance Member: SkyTeam

Symbol: a white bird on a blue and red background

China Eastern Airlines, founded in 1988, is a major Chinese airline operating international, domestic and regional routes. Its main hubs are at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and its secondary hubs at Kunming Changshui International Airport, Xian Xianyang International Airport and Nanjing Lukou International Airport. With the center of Shanghai and Yangtze River Delta, China Eastern Airlines is well linked with China domestic destinations and international destinations. At present, China Eastern Airlines has been serving 177 countries and regions, 1052 destinations.

China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines

Callsign: CHINA SOUTHERN

Chinese Name: 中国南方航空公司

IATA: CZ

ICAO: CSN

Alliance Member: SkyTeam

Symbol: stylized red kapok flower on a blue background

China Southern Airlines, founded in 1988, is an airline headquartered in Guangzhou. Its main hubs are Guanzhou Baiyun International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport. Its secondary hubs are Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport and Urumqi Diwopu International Airport. Along with Air China and China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines are the China’s “Big Three” airlines. Every day, there are 2000 flights to more than 40 countries and regions, 195 destinations. Cooperated with SkyTeam, China Southern Airlines’ network is linking with 177 countries and regions, 1052 destinations.

Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines

Callsign: HAINAN

Chinese Name: 海南航空公司

IATA: HU

ICAO: CHH

Alliance Member: Fortune Wings Club

Symbol: golden wings of the golden Garuda, its golden horn, a styling representing its beak and auspicious clouds

Hainan Airlines, founded in 1993, headquartered in Haikou, is the fourth largest airline in terms of fleet size in China. Its main base is Haikou Mailan International Airport and its hubs are Beijing Capital International Airport and Xian Xianyang International Airport. Hainan Airlines is one of the seven Asian arilines rated as five-star by Skytrax. It serves nearly 500 domestic and international routes and flies to more than 90 cities. International routes can reach Asia, like Bangkok, Phuket, Male, Almaty; Europe, like Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Moscow, St. Petersburg; and the Americas, like Seattle, Toronto, Chicago, Boston, etc.

Other Airlines in China

Shanghai Airlines

Shanghai Airlines

Callsign: SHANGHAI AIR

Chinese Name: 上海航空公司

IATA: FM

ICAO: CSH

Alliance Member: Star Alliance

Symbol: a white crane on a red vertical tail fin

Shanghai Airlines, headquartered in Shanghai, is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines. Its main bases are Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Shanghai Airlines serves over 140 domestic and international destinations. Its international flights focus on Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

Shandong Airlines

Shandong Airlines

Callsign: SHANDONG

Chinese Name: 山东航空

IATA: SC

ICAO: CDG

Alliance Member: Xinxing Aviation Alliance

Symbol: three “S” which stands for Shandong province, safety and success

Shangdong Airlines is an airline based in Jinan, Shangdong province. Its main hub is Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport and focus cities are Qingdao Liuting International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport and Yantai Laishan International Airport. It serves flights to more than 60 destinations, domestic and international. International destinations include Cambodia, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

Shenzhen Airlines

Shenzhen Airlines

Callsign: SHENZHEN AIR

Chinese Name: 深圳航空

IATA: ZH

ICAO: CSZ

Alliance Member: Star Alliance

Symbol: a stylized “roc” or “peng” bird - a divine bird which stands for the soul of the oriental culture Tallness, Straightness and Fullness of Vitality

Shenzhen Airlines, founded in 1992, is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. The operating bases are Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Nanning Wuxu International Airport, Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and Xian Xianyang International Airport. It serves 74 destinations, mainly domestic cities and a very few international flights.

Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Airlines

Callsign: XIAMEN AIR

Chinese Name: 厦门航空

IATA: MF

ICAO: CXA

Alliance Member: Sky Team

Symbol: a white egret flying on a blue background

Xiamen Airlines, founded in 1984, is headquartered in Xiamen. With the core of Xiamen, Fuzhou and Hangzhou, the main hubs are Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Fuzhou Changle International Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Xiamen Airlines operates about 220 domestic routes along with 30 international routes (including routes to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan).

Sichuan Airlines

Sichuan Airlines

Callsign: SICHUAN

Chinese Name: 四川航空

IATA: 3U

ICAO: CSC

Alliance Member: Sky Team

Symbol: a white egret flying on a blue background

Sichuan Airlines is a regional airline headquartered in Chengdu, operating mainly domestic flights out of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, Kunming Changshui International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, etc. It has 160 routes to 79 destinations. International flights can reach Hong Kong, Taiwan, Moscow, Sydney, Kathmandu, Soul, Maldives, Phuket, Saipan, Djakarta, Ho Chi Minh, Vancouver, Melbourne, etc.

Besides the above listed airlines, there are Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Okay Airways, Chengdu Airlines, China Express Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, etc. To book the air tickets, please feel free to contact our professional travel consultants who are here ready to offer you the service.

Recommended Tours

Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

the Mutianyu Great Wall
6 Days Beijing Shanghai Highlights Tour (by Flight)

Beijing / Shanghai

Mutianyu Great Wall Shot by Our Customer Kim
7 Days Classic Beijing Lhasa Tour by Flight

Beijing / Lhasa

Terra-Cotta Warriors
6 Days China History & Mystery Tour (by Flight)

Beijing / Xian

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once inquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Juneyao
hi. is Juneyao airlines a trustworthy airline? I have never used their airline and Im hesistating to buy a ticket
2018-07-15 07:04
Hi MJANE,

Thanks for your message. Juneyao Airlines is a small private air company based in Shanghai and operating domestic and international flights from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Built in 2005, it mainly targets at middle and high level business markets. Until 2018, the Juneyao Airlines has kept a good record of safety operation and quality service, winning good reputation with lots of honors. If you still worry about this obscure airline brand, you can book tickets from large state operated airlines, like China Eastern Airlines, Air China, Sichuan Airlines, etc. Hope you will enjoy your trip!

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