China Eastern Airlines

China Eastern Airlines
	File:China Eastern Airlines logo.svg Logo of China Eastern Airlines since 2014
Company type	Public
Industry	Airline
Founded	June 25, 1988; 38 years ago in Shanghai, China
Headquarters	Changning District, Shanghai, China
Area served	Asia, North America, Australia
Products	Passenger and cargo air transport services
Owner	Chinese government (61.64%), public investors (H shares 32.19%, A shares 6.17%)
Number of employees	81,781 (2023)
Parent	China Eastern Airlines Group Co., LTD (40.1%)
Website	www.ceair.com

China Eastern Airlines (commonly known as China Eastern) is a leading airline based in Changning District, Shanghai, and ranks among the top three carriers in China, alongside Air China and China Southern Airlines.

The airline’s main operational bases are located at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. It holds the position of the second-largest Chinese airline in terms of passenger volume, trailing only China Southern Airlines. In 2021, China Eastern reported operational revenues amounting to RMB 67.1 billion and total assets valued at RMB 286.5 billion. Together with its subsidiary Shanghai Airlines, it became a member of the SkyTeam alliance on June 21, 2011.

History

Founded on June 25, 1988, China Eastern Airlines originated under the Huadong Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. In 1997, it acquired the loss-making China General Aviation and became the first Chinese carrier to issue shares on international markets. The following year, it established China Cargo Airlines through a joint venture with COSCO. By March 2001, China Eastern had completed the acquisition of Great Wall Airlines. In 2003, the airline expanded further by merging with China Yunnan Airlines and China Northwest Airlines. Its corporate slogan is World-Class Hospitality with Eastern Charm ().

The majority ownership of China Eastern remains with the Chinese government at 61.64%, while public investors hold shares in the form of H shares (32.19%) and A shares (6.17%). In 2006, speculation arose about selling up to one-fifth of the company to foreign investors such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Japan Airlines, with Singapore Airlines confirming ongoing discussions.

Following approval from the State Council, on September 2, 2007, shares in China Eastern were jointly acquired by Singapore Airlines and Temasek Holdings. By November 9 that year, Singapore Airlines owned 15.73% and Temasek held an 8.27% stake. This development triggered competitor Cathay Pacific to attempt intervention by purchasing shares and partnering with Air China, which controlled 11%, aiming to block the deal; however, Cathay Pacific withdrew these efforts by September 2007.

In January 2008, Air China's parent company, China National Aviation Corporation, offered a premium bid exceeding Singapore Airlines’ by 32% for the same stake, complicating ownership negotiations. Minority shareholders eventually rejected Singapore Airlines’ proposal amid Air China's competing interest.

On June 11, 2009, China Eastern announced plans to merge with Shanghai Airlines to minimize rivalry and strengthen Shanghai’s status as an aviation hub; this merger was finalized in February 2010. Shanghai Airlines became a wholly owned subsidiary but maintained its distinct brand identity and aircraft livery. The combined entity was anticipated to control more than half of Shanghai’s air travel market. Additionally, China Eastern acquired China United Airlines in October 2010.

In March 2012, a strategic partnership was formed between China Eastern and the Qantas Group to create Jetstar Hong Kong, a low-cost carrier headquartered at Hong Kong International Airport with equal ownership stakes and an investment totaling $198 million. However, in June 2015, Jetstar Hong Kong was denied an operating license by Hong Kong regulators, prompting both partners to withdraw from the venture.

China Eastern received provisional authorization to operate flights within the Philippines in April 2013 but awaited final clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

In recognition of its performance, China Eastern secured the “Golden Ting Award” at the China Capital Market Annual Conference in 2012 and ranked among FORTUNE China's top ten companies for corporate social responsibility.

On September 9, 2014, the airline introduced a refreshed logo and aircraft livery design. The following year, it formed a strategic alliance with Delta Air Lines, which acquired a 3.55% equity stake for $450 million.

The airline reported a net profit of CNY6.4 billion ($983 million) in 2017, marking a significant increase of 41% compared to CNY4.5 billion earned in 2016.

On February 26, 2020, China Eastern launched OTT Airlines as a subsidiary dedicated to operating domestically manufactured aircraft such as the Comac C919 and Comac ARJ21, focusing on services within the Yangtze Delta area alongside business jet operations.

Business trends

The following table presents key financial and operational indicators for China Eastern Airlines Group over fiscal years ending 31 December:

	Net profit (RMB billion)	Employees	Passengers (millions)	Load factor (%)	Fleet size
2013	2.0	68,874	79.0	79.2	478
2014	3.5	69,849	83.8	79.5	515
2015	5.0	71,033	93.7	80.5	551
2016	4.9	75,333	101	81.2	596
2017	6.8	75,277	110	81.0	637
2018	2.6	77,005	121	82.2	692
2019	3.1	81,136	130	82.0	734
2020
81,157	74.6	70.5	734
2021
80,321	79.0	67.7	758
2022
80,193	42.5	63.7	778
2023
81,781	115.62	74.42	782
2024	1.62	85,168	140.57	82.82	804

This dataset illustrates the airline’s post-pandemic recovery path, marked by fleet growth and rising passenger volumes that have contributed to enhanced profitability in 2024.

Ownership structure

Owner	Number of shares held	Percentage of shares held
China Eastern Airlines Group Co., LTD	7,567,853,802	40.1%
HKSCC NOMINEES LIMITED	4,701,157,885↓	24.91%
Shanghai Jidao Hang Enterprise Management Co., LTD	589,041,096	3.12%
China Aviation Oil Group Co., LTD	502,767,895	2.66%
'\'Delta Air Lines, Inc.\	465,910,000	2.47%
Shanghai Reed Information Technology Consulting Co., LTD	465,838,509	2.47%
China Eastern Financial Holding Co., LTD	457,317,073	2.42%
China Securities Finance Co., LTD	429,673,382	2.28%
Shanghai Juneyao (Group) Co., LTD	311,831,909	1.65%
'\'China State-owned Enterprise Restructuring Fund Co., LTD\	273,972,602	1.45%

Partnership with Delta Air Lines

Since 2010, China Eastern Airlines has been engaged in a strategic alliance with Delta Air Lines that began with a codeshare agreement and further developed when China Eastern joined the SkyTeam Alliance in 2011. Initially connecting 42 U.S.-China city pairs, the partnership deepened in 2015 when Delta acquired a 3.55% equity stake through a $450 million investment. The collaboration has since expanded to cover more than 170 city pairs and introduced services such as Trans-China baggage check-throughs to enhance network connectivity and improve passenger convenience for both carriers.

Airline subsidiaries

China Eastern Airlines operates various subsidiaries to broaden its market footprint:

Current Subsidiaries

Air France–KLM (4.58%)
China Cargo Airlines – China's pioneering all-cargo airline leveraging China Eastern's route infrastructure
China Eastern Yunnan Airlines – a regional carrier headquartered in Yunnan province
China United Airlines – a low-cost airline based in Beijing acquired in 2010
Shanghai Airlines

Former Subsidiaries

China General Aviation
Jetstar Hong Kong (33.33%)
Joy Air (40%)
OTT Airlines – a regional operator established in 2020 to fly domestically produced aircraft such as the Comac C919 within the Yangtze Delta area

Destinations

China Eastern Airlines has established a significant footprint throughout Asia, North America, and Australia. The carrier capitalizes on the domestic market by boosting the frequency of flights departing from Shanghai to various Chinese cities, while simultaneously expanding its international network with enhanced flight schedules. In 2007, it inaugurated its longest nonstop service connecting Shanghai and New York City. By 2016, the airline introduced direct flights from Shanghai to destinations including Prague, Amsterdam, Madrid, and St. Petersburg.

On 13 November 2024, China Eastern commenced operations on the Shanghai-Madrid-Lima route in partnership with Spain's Air Europa via a codeshare agreement, marking its entry into Peru.

Interline agreements

China Eastern Airlines maintains interline partnerships with:

Codeshare agreements

The airline has established codeshare collaborations with the following carriers:

Current fleet

As of 2025, China Eastern Airlines operates a fleet that includes Boeing aircraft managed by its subsidiary China Eastern Yunnan Airlines, featuring only minor variations in livery.

China Eastern Airlines fleet
Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passenger configuration					Notes
Aircraft	In service	Orders	F	J	W	Y	Total	Notes
Airbus A319-100	32	—	—	8	—	114	122
Airbus A320-200	145	—	—	8	—	150	158
Airbus A320neo	120	18	—	8	18	132	158	Second largest operator.
Airbus A321-200	74	—	—	—	155–170	(varies)
					Total	664	186

Fleet developments

China Eastern was the pioneer among Chinese airlines to place an order with Airbus. Its fleet composition is dominated by the A320 family, primarily deployed on domestic routes.

In 2005, the airline initially ordered 15 units of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner but later canceled this due to delivery delays, opting instead to convert the order into additional units of the Boeing 737 Next Generation.

On 18 October 2011, China Eastern placed an order for 15 Airbus A330 aircraft, replacing earlier intentions to acquire A340s.

The airline also procured 20 Boeing 777-300ERs, receiving the first of these widebodies in September 2014.

In 2015, an additional 15 Airbus A330s were ordered with deliveries scheduled for 2017 and 2018.

April 2016 saw new orders for 20 Airbus A350-900s and 15 Boeing 787-9s, with deliveries commencing in 2018.

By May 2021, China Eastern had incorporated five Airbus A320neo family aircraft and one Comac ARJ21 into its fleet, which totaled 738 aircraft at that time.

Retired Aircraft

Over the years, China Eastern Airlines has phased out a range of aircraft models, including:

China Eastern Airlines Former Fleet
Aircraft	Quantity	Year Introduced	Year Retired
Airbus A300-600R	10	1989	2015
Airbus A300-600RF	3	1993	2015
Airbus A310-200	3	1988	2006
Airbus A310-300	2	1988	1994
Airbus A318-100	1	2012	2020
Airbus A340-300	5	1996	2012
Airbus A340-600	5	2003	2015
Boeing 737-200	3	2001	2005
Boeing 737-300	26	1998	2014
Boeing 767-300ER	3	2003	2011
Bombardier CRJ-200ER	5	2004	2016
BAe 146-100	6	1986	2009
BAe 146-300	7	2003	2009
Embraer ERJ-135	5	2012	2021
Embraer ERJ-145	10	2005	2016
Fokker 100	10	1992	1999
McDonnell Douglas MD-11	4	1991	2003
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F	2	1991	2003
McDonnell Douglas MD-82	16	1988	2007
McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30	9	1997	2010
Short 360	4	1988	1994
Xian MA-60	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Yakovlev Yak-42	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown

These withdrawn aircraft demonstrate China Eastern’s ongoing commitment to fleet renewal by integrating more fuel-efficient and higher-capacity airplanes to address growing market needs.

Cabin Classes

First Class

On Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s, first class cabins feature fully flat seats with direct aisle access and sliding doors. The Boeing 777 additionally includes a bar area for passengers to socialize and serve themselves. Middle seats can be combined into a double bed.

Business Plus/Super Premium Suites

Available across all Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, these suites offer increased space and length beyond standard business class, equipped with sliding doors and a minibar. The middle seats convert into a lounge area accommodating four passengers.

Business Class Configurations differ by aircraft: narrow-body jets have recliner seats arranged 2-2; select Airbus A330s are fitted with Zodiac Cirrus or Thompson Vantage XL seats in either 1-2-1 or angled/fully flat beds in 2-2-2 layouts. Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s utilize modified Thompson Vantage XL seats featuring doors similar to those in Delta One suites. Boeing 777s are equipped with Zodiac Cirrus seating.

Premium Economy Class

This cabin is offered on all Airbus A320neos, A350s, Boeing 737 MAXs, and 787s, as well as certain Airbus A330-300s and Boeing 737-800s.

Economy Class

Passengers receive complimentary meals, with seatback entertainment systems available on select Airbus A330 models, all Airbus A350s, Boeing 777s, and Boeing 787s.

Eastern Miles

China Eastern Airlines’ loyalty program, Eastern Miles (), encompasses its subsidiaries Shanghai Airlines and China United Airlines. Members accumulate miles through flight activity and China Eastern credit card usage, progressing through Elite levels—Platinum, Gold, and Silver—by fulfilling criteria based on spending, mileage accumulation, or number of flight segments.

Cargo

Following the merger with Shanghai Airlines, China Eastern unified its cargo operations by merging its subsidiaries—China Cargo Airlines, Great Wall Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines Cargo—into a single airline established in 2011 and headquartered in Shanghai, the premier air freight center in China. A strategic partnership with Shanghai Airport Group facilitates increased capacity at Pudong Airport, enabling the expansion of international services and boosting flight frequencies on vital domestic and global routes.

Incidents and accidents

On April 24, 1989, an attempted hijacking on a Xian Y-7 flight concluded when the hijacker detonated explosives after the plane was redirected to Fuzhou; two individuals sustained injuries.
August 15, 1989, saw Flight 5510 crash shortly after takeoff from Shanghai due to failure of the right engine, resulting in 34 fatalities out of 40 passengers and crew.
Flight 583, operating an MD-11 on April 6, 1993, encountered violent oscillations caused by inadvertent wing slat deployment; the aircraft landed safely in Alaska but suffered two passenger deaths and 156 injuries.
On October 26, 1993, Flight 5398 (MD-82) overran the runway at Fuzhou following an unsuccessful go-around attempt, leading to two casualties.
Flight 586 (MD-11) experienced nose landing gear malfunction shortly after departure on September 10, 1998; it made a safe landing with minor injuries reported. This event inspired the movie Crash Landing.
November 21, 2004, marked the crash of Flight 5210 (Bombardier CRJ-200LR) shortly after taking off due to wing icing conditions; all 53 onboard plus two individuals on the ground perished.
On June 7, 2013, Flight 2947 (Embraer ERJ-145LI) veered off the runway at Hongqiao Airport because of a blocked nosewheel steering valve; there were no fatalities.
The crash of Flight 5735 (Boeing 737-800), operated by China Eastern Yunnan Airlines on March 21, 2022, occurred during descent from Kunming to Guangzhou over Guangxi province; all 132 occupants lost their lives.

External links

Official Website (Global)
Official Website (Chinese Version)
Official Website (US Version)
China Eastern Yunnan Airlines
Investor Relations Asia Pacific
China Eastern Airfreight Business Management System