China’s top airlines - rated

With no published safety record for China’s domestic airlines, it’s tough to decide who to fly with. So we’ve dug up the dirt on the 10 most popular, surveying over 200 people and trawling through stacks of news sources on China’s domestic flight service. And if that isn’t enough, we even contacted each airline to see what you actually get for your bucks. So whether you be a jet-setter or an aviophobic, read on for China’s airlines rated…

Safety record: Their last major accident was in 2002 on an international flight to South Korea when the plane crashed into a hill

killing 129 people onboard.

Price: Low


In-flight service: 

Customers are generally happy with the food, and the staff are friendly.


In-flight entertainment: Large main screens are positioned at the front of each cabin section, plus there are a couple of small monitors for those unsighted of the main ones. Additionally, soundtracks are played through sockets in the armrests.

Leg room: 86.36cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×50cm3


Meals and refreshments: There’s a choice of vegetarian, religious and healthy meals (including diabetic, low fat, low protein, etc.) as well as children’s meals.

Fact: Air China Ltd. is state-owned and the second-largest commercial airline after China Southern Airlines. Their phoenix logo was autographed by Deng Xiaoping.

Safety record: On November 21, 2004, on a flight from Baotou to Shanghai their small passenger jet crashed in Inner Mongolia one minute after departure, killing all 53 passengers on board.

Price: Medium

In-flight service: 

Those surveyed state that the food is pretty good, and the staff are friendly but the airline has a problem with tardiness.

In-flight entertainment: Economy Class has comfortable, 18-inch seats with 32-33 inches of space around them. There is built-in audio entertainment and communal televisions throughout the cabin which show either Western or Asian movies.

Leg room: 81.28cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×55cm3


Meals and refreshments: They offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a selection of Western and Asian cuisine.


Fact: Their staff organized a mid-air labor strike over pay and work conditions on March 31, 2008. They flew 21 domestic flights back to their departure airports in southern Yunnan province.

Safety record: On March 7, 2008, an attempt to crash a flight en route to Beijing from Urumqi was averted when the crew found a 19-year-old Turkic woman trying to spill gasoline in the toilet. The last crash was in 1997 on the third approach to the runway in a heavy storm at Shenzhen airport. 35 passengers were killed.

Price: Low


In-flight service: 

Scored high in various categories from service to food, and even for attractive stewardesses.

In-flight entertainment: Seats are installed with 31-32 inch pitches and minimal recline. There are no personal TVs. LCD screens are dropped from the ceilings every three to four rows. There are no personal screens. Most of the movies are Chinese with English subtitles. Audio entertainment is also available.

Leg room: 83.82cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×55cm3


Meals and refreshments: Drinks, other than coffee, tea and water, are charged on flights less than 180 minutes. Snacks include cookies, crackers, mixed nuts and instant noodles.


Fact: It’s been the largest airline in China for 30 years and connects to more than 80 cities around the globe. 

Safety record: No recorded accidents since 2004

Price: Very Low


In-flight service: 

They are known for their delays, but their crew are exceptionally hard-working.

In-flight entertainment: In-flight hawking (if that counts).


Leg room: 81.28cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×50cm3


Meals and refreshments: Snacks include peanuts, buns and candy-bars. Hot meals – available by purchase only - come in the form of rice, vegetables and meat with drinks. Choices depend on the departure airport.

Fact: By far the cheapest airline, with prices as low as RMB99.

Safety record: No recorded accidents since it was founded in 2005

Price: Low


In-flight service: 

Passengers are generally happy. 

In-flight entertainment: Magazines and newspapers (both English and Chinese).

Leg room: 81.28cm


Overhead storage space: Basic size (20×40×50cm3)


Meals and refreshments: Flights over two hours include meals. Choices include smoked beef, salmon and spaghetti. Local food such as mahjua is served in Tianjin, Hainan noodles served in Sanya and pepper with beef in Chengdu. Juneyao also offers green and red bean drinks produced by JueYao Dairy.

Fact: China’s youngest domestic airline. The traditional ‘Chinese-style’ uniform worn by stewardesses has the reputation of being the best outfit among the domestic airlines.

Safety record: The last crash was in 1990, when a hijacker detonated a bomb on landing causing a crash with a parked plane. Eighty two people died.

Price: Medium


In-flight service: 

The general consensus is that service is basic, but customers are satisfied because the flights are reasonably priced.


In-flight entertainment: They offer Chinese magazines and newspapers. Particular flights have TV sets showing Chinese programs.


Leg room: 86.36cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×50cm3


Meals and refreshments: Snacks include peanuts, buns and candy. Hot meals are free and include rice with vegetables and meat, plus a selection of drinks.

Fact: Xiamen Airlines was the first private airline in China.

Safety record: Last recorded accident in 2003. A passenger detonated a bomb in the cabin, but fortunately nobody was injured except him. 

Price: Low




In-flight service: 

They offer textbook check-in and have friendly, helpful staff.


In-flight entertainment: China Daily and bilingual magazines. Passengers can also watch TV in the cabin. The staff does in-flight exercise demonstrations, urging passengers to relax their muscles and prevent deep vein thrombosis during long flights. 

Leg room: 81.28cm


Overhead storage space: Basic size (20×40×50cm3 )


Meals and refreshments: Snacks includes peanuts, buns and candy bars. During dinner time, local hot spicy sauce is provided. They serve hot meals with rice, vegetables, meat and drinks, but charge for them.


Fact: Their slogan is: ‘Safety is Our Priority.’ 

Safety record: No accidents on record as of yet, though they’ve only been around since 1991.

Price: Low


In-flight service: 

Customers are indifferent as prices are low.

In-flight entertainment: They have a well-designed English magazine with a monthly circulation of 68,000. It features business, lifestyle, leisure and entertainment articles about Shenzhen and Guangdong.


Leg room: 81.28cm


Overhead storage space: Basic size (20×40×50cm3 )


Meals and refreshments: An impressive choice including bread, salad with pork sausage, a pack of preserved vegetables and fruits.

Fact: Currently owned by Guangdong Development Bank, Shenzhen Airlines recently employed the first foreign female jet captain for a Chinese airline.

Price: LowSafety record: No accident record since being founded in 1989.


In-flight service: 

Seating is flexible, especially for passengers traveling with family. The staff are helpful and announcements are in Chinese and English. Cabins are clean, in a good condition and surprisingly warm.


In-flight entertainment: Chinese magazines and newspapers.

Leg room: 81.28cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×55cm3


Meals and refreshments: They have an in-flight meal ordering system so passengers can reserve special food. The service offers around 19 meal options. This includes religious meal options and seafood choices, if booked in advance.


Fact: Hainan Airlines is China’s largest private carrier and the only airline to receive the coveted Skytrax ranking. It also sponsored Feng Xiaogang’s 2009 film If You’re the One. The lead, played by Taiwanese actress Shu Qi, is a stewardess who works for Hainan airlines.

Safety record: Since 1985 there have been no accidents and it’s previously received a Jinyan Cup Award for safety.

Price: Low


In-flight service: 

General comments are good - friendly staff and super punctual.


In-flight entertainment: They are famous for entertaining their passengers around holiday times offering best wishes and activities to evoke the festival spirit. On each flight, there’s also a ‘Family Emissary,’ who provides special service to disabled, sick or pregnant passengers.

Leg room: 86.36cm


Overhead storage space: 20×40×50cm3


Meals and refreshments: Meals available include cold dinner, breakfast, hot meals and desserts, plus special festival snacks. If traveling to Hong Kong you get a choice of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and they’ll even give you a cake if you travel on your birthday.

Fact: They won first prize for flight punctuality in China (In the China Aviation Customer Satisfaction Annual Survey). That said, Shanghai Airlines has just merged with China Eastern Airlines who are notoriously late.

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