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Shanghai Airlines: A Guide to China’s Premier Airline

Shanghai Airlines Overview

Shanghai Airlines is a Chinese airline based in Shanghai and was founded in 1985. It operates both domestic and international flights from its two hubs, Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).

Shanghai Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, but it retains its own distinct brand and livery. It has a fleet of 152 aircraft, including Airbus A330, Boeing 737, and Boeing 767. The airline’s logo is a white crane on a red vertical tail fin.

Passengers on Shanghai Airlines can earn miles through China Eastern Airlines’ frequent flyer program, Eastern Miles. The airline offers three classes of service: First Class, Business Class, and Economy Class.

Shanghai Airlines has codeshare agreements with several airlines, including Air France, Delta Air Lines, and KLM. It also has a joint venture partnership with Delta Air Lines, which allows for seamless travel between China and the United States.

Fleet Information

Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines Group, operates a fleet of 88 aircraft, with an average age of 8.8 years. The fleet consists of a mix of Boeing and Airbus models, with the Boeing 737-800 being the most commonly used aircraft.

Shanghai Airlines has 14 aircraft on order/planned, including Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320neo. The airline has codeshare agreements with several airlines, including China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hong Kong Airlines, and Korean Air.

Here is a breakdown of Shanghai Airlines’ current fleet:

Aircraft TypeNumber in Fleet
Boeing 737-7003
Boeing 737-80067
Boeing 767-3003
Airbus A330-2005
Airbus A330-30010

Shanghai Airlines’ fleet is well-maintained, and the airline places a high priority on safety and reliability. The airline regularly updates its fleet to ensure that it meets the latest safety standards and provides passengers with a comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.

Destinations Served

Shanghai Airlines is a Chinese airline that serves over 140 domestic and international destinations, making it a popular choice for travelers. The airline offers flights to more than 60 large and medium-sized cities in mainland China and abroad.

Domestic Destinations

Shanghai Airlines serves 70 domestic destinations, including major cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing. The airline also operates flights to smaller cities such as Anqing, Lijiang, and Yantai.

International Destinations

Shanghai Airlines flies to 9 international destinations in 8 countries, including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. The airline’s international flights focus on major cities such as Bangkok, Seoul, and Tokyo.

Overall, Shanghai Airlines offers a wide range of destinations for both domestic and international travel, making it a convenient option for travelers in China and beyond.

In-Flight Services

Cabin Classes

Shanghai Airlines offers two cabin classes: Business Class and Economy Class. Business Class passengers enjoy priority check-in, lounge access, and spacious seats that recline to a fully flat bed. Economy Class passengers enjoy comfortable seats with adjustable headrests and personal entertainment screens.

In-Flight Entertainment

Shanghai Airlines offers a selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games on personal entertainment screens in both cabin classes. Passengers can also enjoy the airline’s in-flight magazine, which features interesting articles on travel, culture, and lifestyle.

Catering Services

Shanghai Airlines offers complimentary meals and beverages on all flights. Business Class passengers can enjoy a selection of gourmet dishes and premium wines. Economy Class passengers can choose from a variety of delicious Chinese and Western-style meals. Special meals can be requested in advance for passengers with dietary restrictions.

Overall, Shanghai Airlines strives to provide a comfortable and enjoyable in-flight experience for all passengers.

Frequent Flyer Program

Shanghai Airlines’ frequent flyer program is called Eastern Miles. This program allows passengers to earn miles by flying with Shanghai Airlines and its partner airlines, spending on credit cards, staying at hotels, dining out, and more. Eastern Miles members can redeem their miles for flights, upgrades, and other rewards.

After the merger with China Eastern Airlines, the frequent-flyer programs were also merged. Eastern Miles became the official frequent-flyer program of Shanghai Airlines on June 8, 2011. This merger has allowed passengers to earn and redeem miles on both airlines, increasing the benefits of being a member of the program.

Eastern Miles has several membership levels, including Eastern Miles Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level offers different benefits, such as priority check-in, lounge access, and additional baggage allowance. Eastern Miles members can also earn elite qualifying miles to maintain or upgrade their membership level.

Overall, Eastern Miles is a valuable program for frequent travelers with Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern Airlines. Its partnership with other airlines and hotels also provides additional opportunities to earn and redeem miles.

Partnership and Alliances

Shanghai Airlines has codeshare agreements with several airlines, including China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hong Kong Airlines, and Korean Air.

In addition to codeshare agreements, Shanghai Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, which includes 19 airlines worldwide. This partnership allows Shanghai Airlines to offer its passengers access to a wider network of destinations and seamless travel experiences.

Moreover, Shanghai Airlines is a connecting partner of Star Alliance, which enables it to connect to the Star Alliance network without becoming a member airline of the Alliance. Passengers connecting between certain member airlines and a Connecting Partner under a single booking may enjoy certain comforts and privileges.

Through these partnerships and alliances, Shanghai Airlines is able to offer its passengers more options and seamless travel experiences, making it a preferred choice for travelers flying to and from China.

Customer Service

Shanghai Airlines is known for providing excellent customer service to its passengers. The airline provides multiple channels for customers to reach out to them, including phone, email, and social media. Customers can also visit the airline’s official website for information on booking, flight schedules, and other services.

Shanghai Airlines offers a 24/7 customer service hotline for passengers who need assistance with their bookings, baggage, or other issues. The airline’s staff is professional and courteous, and they are trained to handle any situation that may arise.

The airline also provides a dedicated customer service email address for passengers who prefer to communicate via email. The email response time is usually within 24 hours, and the airline strives to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.

Overall, Shanghai Airlines is committed to providing the best customer service possible to its passengers. The airline’s staff is always ready to assist passengers and ensure that they have a comfortable and hassle-free travel experience.

Safety Record

Shanghai Airlines has a relatively good safety record. According to AeroInside, there have been no recorded crashes involving Shanghai Airlines planes. Furthermore, the airline has achieved a safety rating of 6/7 from Airline Ratings, which is considered above average.

China’s Civil Aviation Administration announced that Shanghai Airlines was a contributor to setting a new world record for safe flight hours. The airline has achieved over 100 million continuous safe flight hours, which is the longest continuous safe flight record in world civil aviation history, as of February 19, 2022, according to CGTN.

In conclusion, Shanghai Airlines has an impressive safety record, with no recorded crashes and a high safety rating. The airline has also contributed to setting a new world record for safe flight hours.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Shanghai Airlines is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development. As a state-owned backbone airline of China, Shanghai Airlines recognizes the importance of balancing economic, environmental, and social responsibilities.

In line with this commitment, Shanghai Airlines has released annual CSR reports since 2008. These reports disclose the company’s CSR concepts and practices, promote understanding and communication with stakeholders, and facilitate the establishment of trust and cooperation based on shared values.

Shanghai Airlines has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable fuel usage, and investing in eco-friendly technology. The company also prioritizes social responsibility and has supported various charitable organizations and disaster relief efforts.

Shanghai Airlines aims to continue its dedication to CSR and sustainable development, striving to create a better future for the company, its stakeholders, and the environment.

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