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China Eastern Airlines maintains a strong commitment to safety, though its record includes a notable incident.

• Recent Safety Record and Notable Incidents: China Eastern Airlines had achieved a zero-accident rate for ten consecutive years and over 100 million continuous safe flying hours prior to the Flight MU5735 crash in March 2022. This tragic incident involved a Boeing 737-800 from Kunming to Guangzhou, resulting in the loss of all 132 passengers and crew. Following the accident, the airline temporarily grounded its 737-800 fleet and implemented comprehensive safety protocol reforms, including enhanced pre-flight inspections and crew resource management training. The cause of the crash remains largely under investigation, with pilot suicide not yet ruled out. Historically, China Eastern had a series of incidents in its early years (1989-2004) before significantly improving its safety record.

• Regulatory Certifications: China Eastern Airlines' wholly-owned subsidiary, Eastern Airlines Technic Co., Ltd., received a repair station certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2015, allowing it to provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for U.S.-registered aircraft. The airline also holds repair station approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). China Eastern Airlines is not included on the EU Air Safety List, which bans carriers that do not fulfill international safety standards from operating in European airspace. The airline has also been awarded the Flight Safety Diamond Award by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), which is the highest flight safety award in China.

• Fleet Age and Maintenance Reputation: China Eastern Airlines operates a modern fleet that is considered one of the youngest among major global airlines, with over 800 aircraft. As of August 2023, the average age of its widebody aircraft like the Airbus A350-900s was 2.8 years, Boeing 787-9s 3.8 years, and Boeing 777-300ERs 7.6 years. Narrowbody aircraft like the COMAC ARJ21-700s averaged 1.5 years, while its extensive A320 and 737 fleets had varying average ages. The FAA certification for its MRO subsidiary highlights strong maintenance capabilities and adherence to stringent international standards.

• Overall Safety Assessment: China Eastern Airlines holds a 4/7 safety rating from AirlineRatings.com and is certified as a 3-Star Airline by Skytrax. Despite the tragic 2022 incident, the airline is generally considered a relatively safe airline, acknowledged for its genuine efforts to improve safety. China's civil aviation industry as a whole has been recognized for its high safety standards, with strong enforcement of regulations.

• Safety Awards or Recognitions: China Eastern Airlines has received the Flight Safety Diamond Award by CAAC, the highest flight safety award in China.