Air China is one of the major airlines of the People’s Republic of China. It is also the country’s flag carrier and is represented by an enterprise logo featuring an artistic depiction of a phoenix, which is the calligraphic version of the airline’s Chinese name. It was written by former national leader Deng Xiaoping. Aside from its calligraphic and artistic representation, the logo is also said to be an artistic version of the word VIP.

Fast Facts

• English name: China International Airlines Company
• Chinese name: 中國國際航空公司 (China International Airlines Company)
• Main hubs: Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport
• Focus cities: Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Wuhan Tianhe International Airport
• Alliance member: Star Alliance
• IATA code: CA
• ICAO code: CCA
• Call sign: AIR CHINA
• Headquarters: Beijing Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone (Zone A) in Shunyi District, Beijing
• Frequent flyer program: Phoenix Miles
• Official website: www.airchina.com

Introduction

Ranking

Air China is the 10th largest airline in the world based on fleet size. However, it has a lower number of total passengers carried compared to its two competitors, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.

Branches in China

The airline’s main flight operations are based in Beijing Capital International Airport. It has offices in the following locations:

Offices around the world

Auckland, Bangalore, Bangkok, Delhi, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Osaka, Phuket, Pusan, Sapporo, Sendai, Seoul, Seoul-Incheon, Seoul-Gimpo, Singapore, Sydney, Taegu, Tokyo, Ulan Bator, Yangon

Offices in the United States are found in the following cities:

Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Sao Paulo, Toronto, Vancouver

Offices in Europe are found in the following cities:

Amsterdam, Athens, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna, Zurich

Offices in the Middle East are found in the following cities:

Dubai, Kuwait

Premium Economy Class

Air China offers both a business class and a first class for its selected international flights.

1. First Class - Forbidden Pavilion First Class

The first class feature individually spaced seats and offers passengers plenty of room for work, pleasure, and relaxation while onboard Air China flights. The seats can be adjusted according to passengers’ preferences. They can be upright, reclining, or fully horizontal for full sleeping comfort. The seats are 190cm long and 70cm wide, and are, as a result, very comfortable. 

2. Business Class - Capital Pavilion Business Class

The business class feature highly comfortable seats that can recline up to 170 degrees and are 190cm long and 54cm wide. They are stylishly and ergonomically designed for passengers’ comfort.

3. Premier Economy Class

Air China offers a Premier Economy Class, offering passengers excellent value.

4. Economy Class

Membership

Air China is a member of Star Alliance, which it officially joined in December 12, 2007. This significantly expanded the presence of Star Alliance in China. In line with the alliance’s Under One Roof initiative, all members have transferred to the Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport, the airline’s main international hub.

Air China also has codeshare agreements with these airlines:

Air China is also a member airline of OneWorld and of SkyTeam.

Fleet and Destination

Air China’s fleet size is 285 excluding the airline’s cargo fleet. The entire fleet flies to 185 different destinations.

Airbus:

A319-100, A320-200, A321-200, A330-200, A330-300, A340-300, A350-900

Boeing:

737-300, 737-700, 737-800, 747-400, 747-400M, 747-8I, 757-200, 777-200, 777-300ER, 787-9

COMAC:

C919

The entire fleet makes up a route network that travels throughout Asia, the Middle East, Western Europe, and North America from the main hub at the Beijing Capital International Airport. Some of its Asian routes as well as most of its Australian and European routes fly from Shanghai. Other international routes also fly from Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Xiamen, and Dubai.

Air China now also serves its first destination in South America, Sao Paulo via Madrid. This marked as the first longest direct flight by the airline. This service began in 2006 and was originally flew by a Boeing 767-300 aircraft but was eventually improved to the Airbus A330-200,following an increase in demand.

In summer of 2011, Air China also introduced an Airbus A330-300 flight going to Dusseldorf in Germany, the third German destination of the airlines. In June of 2011, it also started its Beijing to Milan service to complement the Shanghai Pudong to Milan service. In May of 2011, the airline also re-launched its Beijing to Athens service with a stopover in Munich; this flight used the Airbus A330-300. In September 2011, the airline also began its Beijing to Mumbai route and upgraded its Delhi route to the Airbus A330.

Air China is also expected to replace its Boeing 747-400, which it uses for its U.S. routes, with the newer Boeing 777-300ER; these will fly to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. However, as of now, there are not enough numbers of the aircraft in the fleet, so the existing 777-300ERs are still being used for the Beijing to Paris service only. As of now, one of the 777-300ERs is already being used to fly to Los Angeles, while New York and San Francisco routes are set for upgrade in late 2012 or early 2013.

Luggage Allowance

Carry-on luggage

Passengers are allowed to bring hand-carried baggage onboard. These should be placed either in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of the passenger. For First and Business class passengers, unchecked baggage should be under 8 kg or 17 lbs. and up to 2 pieces per passenger. For the Economy class, passengers are allowed 1 piece of baggage with a weight of 5 kg or 11 lbs. per passenger. Carry-on luggage should be within 55cm in length, 40cm in width, and 20cm in height.

Checked luggage

       Domestic route

Other routes

In-Flight Food

Special in-flight meals may be requested in selected flights:

Special Services

Air China offers special services to passengers who need assistance.

• Wheelchair service. A wheelchair service is available for persons with disabilities. If a wheelchair will be needed for domestic flights, the passengers have to contact the airline 24 hours before the flight departure and should be at the airport two hours before the flight. However, for flights going to the US, passengers should apply for wheelchair service no later than 28 hours before the flight departure. For other international and regional flights, passengers need to book a wheelchair service no later than 72 hours before scheduled flight.
• Pregnant service. Air China offers special assistance to pregnant women who are traveling with them. Women under 32 weeks pregnant are considered as regular passengers. Special pregnant services are offered to women who are over 32 weeks and under 35 weeks pregnant. They should present a medical certificate issued within 7 days before the date of departure. For safety purposes, the airline does not allow women who are over 35 weeks pregnant, are within 4 weeks of delivery, or are less than 7 days after delivery on any flight.

Frequent Flyer Program

Air China’s frequent flyer program is called Phoenix Miles. Its Chinese name is guo hang zhi yin, which literally means “best friends of Air China.” This is the first program of this kind launched in China. The goal of the program is to reward guests who frequently travel international or domestically with Air China and its partner airlines.

All air travel logged by members of the program on any Air China flight and flights by the airlines affiliates and partners will earn mileages that the members can eventually claim. The card can also be upgraded to a VIP status.

Special redemption rates are given to VIP members. Please refer to the table below for more information.