Spring Airlines logo

Spring Airlines

ICAO: CQH IATA: 9C Active as of Jan 31, 2026

Airline Statistics

481

Active Routes

4864

Flight Observations

99

Unique Destinations

111

Origin Airports

893

Avg Route Distance (mi)

2367

Longest Route (mi)

0

Domestic Routes

100

International Routes

About Spring Airlines

Spring Airlines (ICAO: CQH) is a prominent low-cost carrier based in China, known for its extensive network and budget-friendly fares.

Spring Airlines Co., Ltd. was established on May 26, 2004, and commenced flight operations on July 18, 2005, making it the first low-cost carrier in China. It operates as the aviation subsidiary of Shanghai Spring International Travel Service and has been publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange since January 2015.

The airline is headquartered in Changning, Shanghai, and maintains major operational bases at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), and Shijiazhuang. Other significant bases include Shenzhen (SZX), Shenyang (SHE), Jieyang (SWA), and Osaka, Japan. Spring Airlines operates a modern, all-Airbus A320 family fleet, consisting of 134 aircraft as of August 2025, including 116 A320s and 12 A321s.

Spring Airlines boasts a comprehensive route network, serving over 130 domestic routes within China and more than 80 international and regional routes. Its international and regional destinations include various cities in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The airline operates on a low-cost model and is not a member of any major global airline alliances such as Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. In line with its low-cost strategy, Spring Airlines primarily offers single-cabin Economy Class seating. Complimentary onboard meals and water are not provided but are available for purchase, along with options for extra legroom seating and additional baggage allowance.

Traveler Reviews

Traveler reviews for Spring Airlines present a mixed but generally positive picture, particularly for budget-conscious passengers.

What Travelers Love:

  • Affordability: Many travelers praise Spring Airlines for its competitive and cheap prices, making it a highly attractive option for budget travel.
  • Punctuality: Reviews frequently highlight the airline's punctuality, with flights often departing on schedule and sometimes even arriving ahead of time.
  • Convenient Booking: The online booking process is often described as economical and convenient, catering well to budget travelers.

Common Complaints:

  • Strict Baggage Policy: A recurring complaint is the airline's very restrictive carry-on weight allowance (around 15 lbs) and expensive fees for checked luggage, especially if not purchased in advance. Passengers have reported issues with "oversized" carry-ons at the gate and unclear policies.
  • Cramped Seating: Some travelers find the seating to be cramped, particularly for taller individuals, and note that seat reclining functions may be disabled on certain flights.
  • Lack of Amenities: As a low-cost carrier, the absence of complimentary meals, water, and in-flight entertainment systems is a common point of feedback.
  • Customer Service Issues: There are reports of unsatisfactory customer service, including instances of unfriendly, rude, or impatient staff at check-in.

Overall sentiment suggests that Spring Airlines is a reliable choice for travelers prioritizing low fares, provided they are aware of and willing to accommodate the airline's strict baggage policies and limited onboard amenities.

Safety Information

Spring Airlines emphasizes safety as a top priority and has received recognition for its safety commitment. The airline holds a 7/7 safety rating. It is noted as one of the biggest investors in aviation safety in China and received the Airbus Award of Excellence in 2011, along with other top safety awards from Airbus and Chinese Aviation Authorities.

The airline has a "crash-free history", though it has experienced some notable incidents:

  • On June 6, 2014, an Airbus A320 experienced a runway excursion and tail strike at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, resulting in substantial aircraft damage but no injuries.
  • In February 2017, a smartphone charger caught fire in an overhead locker on a flight from Harbin to Nagoya.
  • In March 2019, an Airbus A320 rejected takeoff due to a bird strike at Shanghai Hongqiao.

Regarding regulatory certifications, Spring Airlines has successfully passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which is an internationally recognized evaluation system for assessing an airline's operational management and control systems. As of the latest available information, Spring Airlines is not listed among airlines banned from operating in the European Union's airspace. There is no information directly linking Spring Airlines to FAA compliance, as "Spring City Aviation" is a different entity mentioned in FAA compliance news.

Spring Airlines operates a "state-of-the-art fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft," described as one of the youngest and "greenest" fleets globally. This modern fleet contributes to its reputation for a very low incident rate.

It is important to differentiate between Spring Airlines and its subsidiary, Spring Airlines Japan, which has had its own safety incidents, including pilot errors related to flaps during takeoff in 2017 and a cabin pressurization issue leading to an emergency descent in June 2025. However, these incidents are specific to the Japanese subsidiary.

Overall, based on available data, Spring Airlines maintains a strong safety assessment with a good safety rating, a modern fleet, and significant investment in safety protocols, substantiated by its IOSA certification and industry awards.

Compiled by AirportRoutes.com • Updated 2 months ago

Route Network Map

Click on any airport to see its routes

Most Popular Routes

MFM → PVG
Macau International Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
802 miles
85 flights
A320
NBS → PVG
Changbaishan Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
821 miles
65 flights
A320
ENH → PVG
Enshi Xujiaping Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
734 miles
61 flights
A320
DOY → SHA
Dongying Shengli Airport → Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
460 miles
61 flights
A320
DNH → LHW
Dunhuang Mogao International Airport → Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
540 miles
59 flights
A320
GYS → PVG
Guangyuan Panlong Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
949 miles
58 flights
A320
DOY → CGQ
Dongying Shengli Airport → Changchun Longjia Int'l
576 miles
58 flights
A320
56 flights
A321
DOY → SZX
Dongying Shengli Airport → Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
1070 miles
55 flights
A320
DOY → PVG
Dongying Shengli Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
472 miles
54 flights
A320

Top Destinations

PVG (ZSPD)
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
896 flights
51 routes
LHW (ZLLL)
Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
415 flights
32 routes
SJW (ZBSJ)
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang
298 flights
30 routes
SHA (ZSSS)
Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
248 flights
20 routes
NGB (ZSNB)
Ningbo Lishe Int'l
Ningbo
226 flights
20 routes
SWA (ZGOW)
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang
171 flights
16 routes
SHE (ZYTX)
Shenyang Taoxian Int'l
Shenyang
161 flights
15 routes
SZX (ZGSZ)
Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
145 flights
10 routes
CGQ (ZYCC)
Changchun Longjia Int'l
Changchun
118 flights
9 routes
HRB (ZYHB)
Harbin Taiping Int'l
Harbin
108 flights
7 routes

Top Origin Airports

SJW (ZBSJ)
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang
495 flights
34 routes
SWA (ZGOW)
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang (Rongcheng)
372 flights
19 routes
DOY (ZSDY)
Dongying Shengli Airport
Dongying (Kenli)
251 flights
6 routes
PVG (ZSPD)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai (Pudong)
236 flights
46 routes
YTY (ZSYA)
Yangzhou Taizhou Airport
Yangzhou
215 flights
19 routes
CKG (ZUCK)
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Chongqing
125 flights
8 routes
ENH (ZHES)
Enshi Xujiaping Airport
Enshi (Enshi)
114 flights
3 routes
CAN (ZGGG)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou (Huadu)
111 flights
12 routes
LHW (ZLLL)
Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport
Lanzhou (Yongdeng)
110 flights
23 routes
MIG (ZUMY)
Mianyang Nanjiao Airport
Mianyang (Fucheng)
109 flights
5 routes

Top Border Crossing Flights

PVG (ZSPD)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai, CN
896 flights
51 routes
SJW (ZBSJ)
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang, CN
298 flights
30 routes
NGB (ZSNB)
Ningbo Lishe International Airport
Ningbo, CN
226 flights
20 routes
SWA (ZGOW)
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang, CN
171 flights
16 routes
SHE (ZYTX)
Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
Shenyang, CN
161 flights
15 routes
SZX (ZGSZ)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Shenzhen, CN
145 flights
10 routes

Longest Routes

PVG → SIN
Shanghai Pudong International Airport → Singapore Changi
2367 mi
SIN → PVG
Singapore Changi Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
2367 mi
KUL → PVG
Kuala Lumpur International Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
2362 mi
PVG → HKT
Shanghai Pudong International Airport → Phuket Int'l
2197 mi
HKT → PVG
Phuket International Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
2197 mi

Shortest Routes

YNT → DLC
Yantai Penglai International Airport → Dalian Zhoushuizi Int'l
95 mi
ZQZ → SJW
Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport → Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
171 mi
SJW → ZQZ
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport → Zhangjiakou Ningyuan
171 mi
HET → SJW
Hohhot Baita International Airport → Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
235 mi
LUM → KMG
Dehong Mangshi Airport → Kunming Changshui Int'l
280 mi

All Routes

481 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
MFM → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
85 802 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
NBS → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
65 821 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
ENH → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
61 734 mi A320 Jan 27, 2026
DOY → SHA Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
61 460 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
DNH → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
59 540 mi A320 Jan 26, 2026
GYS → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
58 949 mi A320 Jan 31, 2026
DOY → CGQ Changchun Longjia Int'l
Changchun
58 576 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
CKG → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
56 908 mi A321 Jan 29, 2026
DOY → SZX Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
55 1070 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
DOY → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
54 472 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
HIA → HRB Harbin Taiping Int'l
Harbin
54 901 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
HIA → SZX Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
53 836 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
CZX → SWA Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang
50 612 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
SJW → XMN Xiamen Gaoqi Int'l
Xiamen
49 971 mi A320 Jan 28, 2026
WDS → NGB Ningbo Lishe Int'l
Ningbo
49 653 mi A320 Jan 26, 2026
KIX → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
49 814 mi A321 Jan 30, 2026
LJG → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
48 1338 mi A320 Jan 31, 2026
SWA → HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l
Hangzhou
48 521 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
ZYI → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
47 924 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
SWA → NKG Nanjing Lukou Int'l
Nanjing
44 585 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
AAT → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
43 1109 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
SWA → SHA Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
41 606 mi A320 Jan 27, 2026
WDS → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
40 496 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
KHG → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
39 1512 mi A320 Jan 27, 2026
SJW → INC Yinchuan Helanshan
Yinchuan
39 451 mi A320 Jan 23, 2026
Data Information:

Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Jan 31, 2026 06:06
Coverage: Observed routes only