Air China

Early years

Air China was established and commenced operations on 1 July 1988 as a result of the Chinese government's decision in late 1987 to split the operating divisions of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) into six separate airlines: Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, China Northern, China Southwest, and China Northwest.^[4][5] Air China was assigned primary responsibility for intercontinental flights and took over CAAC's long-haul aircraft (Boeing 707s, 747s, and 767s) and routes.

In January 2001, the former CAAC's six airlines agreed on a merger plan,^[6] according to which Air China was to acquire China Southwest Airlines. Before this acquisition, Air China was the country's fourth largest domestic airline. The merger created a group with assets of 56 billion yuan (US$8.63 billion) and a fleet of 118 aircraft.^[7] In October 2002, Air China consolidated with the China National Aviation Holding and China Southwest Airlines.^[8]

On 15 December 2004, Air China was successfully listed on the Hong Kong and London Stock Exchanges.^[9][10] In 2006, Air China signed an agreement to join the Star Alliance. It became a member of the alliance on 12 December 2007 alongside Shanghai Airlines.^[11]

In July 2009, Air China acquired $19.3 million of shares from its troubled subsidiary Air Macau, lifting its stake in the carrier from 51% to 81%.^[12] One month later, Air China spent HK$6.3 billion (US$813 million) to raise its stake in Cathay Pacific from 17.5% to 30%, expanding its presence in Hong Kong.^[13]

Development since 2010

In April 2010, Air China completed the increase of shareholdings in Shenzhen Airlines and became the controlling shareholder of Shenzhen Airlines, allowing Air China to further enhance its position in Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai, as well as achieve a more balanced domestic network.^[14]

On 2 December 2010, Air China received Spain's highest tourism industry award, the "Plaque for Tourist Merit." Air China was the first foreign airline to receive the award, which is given to organisations and individuals contributing to the Spanish tourism industry.^[15]

On 23 December 2010, Air China became the first Chinese airline to offer combined tickets that include domestic flights and shuttle bus services to nearby cities. The first combined flight-shuttle bus ticket connected Tianjin via shuttle bus with domestic flights passing through Beijing.^[16]

Air China began offering free Wi-Fi internet service on board its aircraft on 15 November 2011, making it the first Chinese carrier to offer this service.^[17] However the service is not allowed on smartphones, but only on tablets and laptops.^[18]

In 2012, after pressure from PETA, Air China stated that it would no longer transport monkeys to laboratories. PETA welcomed the airline's announcement.^[19]

On 3 July 2013, in time for the company's 25th anniversary, Air China successfully tested Wireless LAN in flight. It was the first global satellite internet flight in Mainland China.^[20]

In early 2015, it was announced that the airline had selected the Boeing 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX for its fleet renewal programme of 60 aircraft. The deal, with a value of over $6 billion at current list prices, has yet to be finalised.^[21]

On 15 October 2025, Air China's regional subsidiary, Air China Inner Mongolia, was re-integrated, becoming a branch of the national carrier.^[22]

Ownership structure

Branding and livery

The enterprise logo of Air China consists of an artistic Fenghuang pattern designed by artist Han Meilin.^[28] The phoenix logo is also the artistic transfiguration of the word "VIP". The Chinese text for the name of the airline is written in calligraphy by former national leader Deng Xiaoping. The English name "AIR CHINA" is also present. Air China is a member of the Star Alliance.

History of Air China liveries

A Boeing 747-200 in the original CAAC livery after the split of CAAC Airlines.

A Boeing 767-200ER in the second generation livery with the introduction of the phoenix-styled livery.

A Boeing 777-300ER in the current livery used on Boeing aircraft, in which the phoenix logo was enlarged and straightened.

An Airbus A350-900 in the current livery used on Airbus aircraft. The Chinese name has a smaller size than in the livery used on Boeing aircraft.

An Airbus A330-300 in the current livery used on Taiwan routes. The PRC flag is removed due to the Taiwan issue.

Joint Venture agreements

Air China has joint venture agreements with the following airlines:

Codeshare agreements

Air China codeshares with the following sister airlines:^[46]

Interline agreements

Air China has interline agreements with the following airlines:

Current fleet

Airbus A320-200 in 2014

Airbus A330-200 in 2011

Airbus A350-900 in 2019

Boeing 737-800 in 2011

Boeing 747-400 in 2009

Boeing 777-300ER in 2014

Boeing 787-9 in 2016

Comac C909 in 2023

Comac C919-100ER in 2024

As of January 2026^[update], Air China operates the following aircraft:^[55][56]

Former fleet

Airbus A340-300 in 2006

Boeing 757-200 in 2013

Boeing 767-300ER in 2012

BAe 146-100 in 1995

Lockheed L-100 Hercules in 1999

Xian Y-7 in 1995

Cabin

Forbidden Pavilion

Forbidden Pavilion is Air China's first class, and is offered on all Boeing 747-400, Boeing 747-8 and some Boeing 777-300ER.^[55][74]

The Forbidden Pavillion on the Boeing 777-300ER and 747-8 is Air China's latest flagship product, featuring Zodiac Aerospace Venus suites featuring a row pitch of 82-83 inches, and a seat width of 23 inches. The seat also features 23 inch AVODs and also has Universal AC and USB-A sockets available.^{[citation needed]}

Forbidden Pavillion on the 747-400 has 80-inch (203 cm) seat pitch, swiveling seat power, and fully flat bed recline. First Class on the 747-400 is one of two classes that sports AVOD screens. It is named Forbidden Pavilion due to its place in the cabin.

Capital Pavilion

Capital Pavilion is Air China's business class, and is offered on all Air China aircraft, excluding the Comac C909-700.^[55]

On Air China's narrow-body fleet, business class seats are recliners arranged in an 2-2 configuration.^[55]

Capital Pavillion on an Air China Boeing 777-300ER. Similar seats are used on Air China's Boeing 747-8s and 787s.

On the Boeing 747-8, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787, the Capital Pavillion would be located at the front of the cabin in a 2-2-2 configuration. They feature Collins Parallel Diamond seats, which can convert into a 6'-4" lie-flat bed. The seats have a width of 21 inches, and also feature a 15-16 inch touchscreen along with Universal AC and USB-A sockets.^{[citation needed]} On the Boeing 747s, Capital Pavillion is located in the nose of the aircraft and the Upper Deck, with a painted collage of the Summer Palace, which symbolizes good luck in China. On the Boeing 747-400, the seats have partial recline, with a touch-screen function and remote function IFE screen on the back of seats and also located in the armrests. It was located in a 2-2-2 configuration at the back, with 2-2 rows continuing to the front and on the Upper Deck. These seats feature seat-back AVOD screens.

The Capital Pavillion on the Airbus A330 would be located in a small area at the front of the cabin. On newer A330s, they feature Zodiac Aura Lite, which consists of rectangle-like seats, with two reading lights located between seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and seat-back screens would be provided. These seats provide full recline and can convert into a 6'-4" lie-flat bed. The seats also have a row pitch of 79 inches, a seat width of 21 inches, and also features a 15 inch touch screen display, as well as Universal AC and USB-A sockets.^{[citation needed]} On older A330s, the screens would be smaller and there would be no storage space between screens, and a recline of 165 degrees.^{[citation needed]}

The Airbus A350 feature Air China's latest product. On older A350s, the seats feature a reverse herringbone Collins Aerospace Super-Diamond seat arrangement at the front of the cabin in 8 1-2-1 configurated rows. The seats would be full flat reclinable, along with a shoulder belt for safety. There are no mid-overhead bins, allowing the cabin to look and feel bigger. There would also be aisle access to all seats, and 18-inch HD IFE screens.^{[citation needed]} On newer Airbus A350s, the cabin features Recaro CL6720 seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats can convert to a 6'-4" lie-flat bed, and has a seat width of 21 inches. Each seat features a 18 inch HD touch screen display and Universal AC and USB-A sockets.^{[citation needed]}

Premium Economy Class

Premium economy is offered on all of Air China's Airbus A330-300, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 747-8 and Boeing 787-9.^[55] The Premium Economy class on the A350-900 is the newest product, with extra recline, a seat pitch of 38.5-39 inches and a seat width of 18.5 inches, in a 2-4-2 configuration. Premium Economy on A330-300s, 747-8s and 787-9s have a seat pitch of 36-38 inches and a width of 17.1-18 inches. In older A330s, these seats also featured AVOD screens and headrests, which the Economy Class did not.^[55]

Economy Class

Economy class cabin on an Airbus A350-900.

Economy class is offered on all Air China aircraft. IFE with AVOD functionality is available on Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-9, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 747 and newer Airbus A330 aircraft with different screen sizes and different systems from Panasonic and Thales. Universal power port and USB availability is different upon aircraft. Seats typically have a seat pitch of 31 inches, and a width of 17-18 inches, depending on aircraft. On Airbus A330s, economy class is in a 2-4-2 configuration, whilst on Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, a 3-3-3 configuration is present. Boeing 747s and 777s have a 3-4-3 configuration. All narrowbody jets are configured in a 3-3 configuration except for the Comac ARJ21s, which have a 3-2 configuration.^[55]

PhoenixMiles

PhoenixMiles (Chinese: 凤凰知音; pinyin: feng huang zhī yīn, literally "Phoenix Partner") is the frequent flyer program of Air China and its subsidiary Air China Inner Mongolia, Air Macau, Beijing Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. This is the first frequent flyer program launched in mainland China. It was designed to reward frequent flyers traveling internationally and domestically with Air China and its partner airlines.^[75]

Wings of China incident

Air China's inflight magazine Wings of China faced accusations of racism when they stated "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis, and black people." in their September 2016 issue.^[80][81] On 8 September 2016, Air China issued an apology.^[82] Air China Media, which publishes the Wings of China magazine, said it wished to apologise to "readers and passengers who are feeling uncomfortable".^[83] It added: "This invariably inappropriate description... was purely a work mistake by the editors and it's not the magazine's views... We will immediately recall this entire issue of magazines and draw lessons from this incident."^[84][85]

Use of Russian airspace

Due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, European carriers have ceased to use Russian airspace, significantly increasing the length, and therefore cost, of their flights to and from China. Air China continues to operate flights to and from Russia and this strategy has bolstered its dominance in the China–Europe market, but brought accusations of unfair competition.^[86][87][88]