Spring Airlines

ICAO: CQH Active as of Dec 11, 2025

465

Active Routes

3857

Flight Observations

96

Unique Destinations

108

Origin Airports

885

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.

What Travelers Say

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.

Content generated by AI based on web research • Updated 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Route Network Map
Most Popular Routes
MFM → PVG
Macau International Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
802 miles
66 flights
A321
DNH → LHW
Dunhuang Mogao International Airport → Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
540 miles
53 flights
A320
ENH → PVG
Enshi Xujiaping Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
734 miles
48 flights
A320
DOY → SHA
Dongying Shengli Airport → Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
460 miles
48 flights
A320
DOY → CGQ
Dongying Shengli Airport → Changchun Longjia Int'l
576 miles
45 flights
A320
GYS → PVG
Guangyuan Panlong Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
949 miles
44 flights
A320
DOY → SZX
Dongying Shengli Airport → Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
1070 miles
43 flights
A320
DOY → PVG
Dongying Shengli Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
472 miles
43 flights
A320
42 flights
A320
41 flights
A320
Top Destinations
PVG (ZSPD)
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
690 flights
47 routes
LHW (ZLLL)
Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
324 flights
32 routes
SJW (ZBSJ)
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang
242 flights
30 routes
SHA (ZSSS)
Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
205 flights
19 routes
NGB (ZSNB)
Ningbo Lishe Int'l
Ningbo
172 flights
18 routes
SHE (ZYTX)
Shenyang Taoxian Int'l
Shenyang
129 flights
15 routes
SWA (ZGOW)
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang
125 flights
15 routes
SZX (ZGSZ)
Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
113 flights
9 routes
CGQ (ZYCC)
Changchun Longjia Int'l
Changchun
92 flights
9 routes
TFU (ZUTF)
Chengdu Tianfu Int'l
Chengdu
85 flights
10 routes
Top Origin Airports
SJW (ZBSJ)
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang
393 flights
33 routes
SWA (ZGOW)
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang (Rongcheng)
292 flights
19 routes
DOY (ZSDY)
Dongying Shengli Airport
Dongying (Kenli)
194 flights
6 routes
PVG (ZSPD)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai (Pudong)
186 flights
42 routes
YTY (ZSYA)
Yangzhou Taizhou Airport
Yangzhou
145 flights
19 routes
LHW (ZLLL)
Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport
Lanzhou (Yongdeng)
110 flights
23 routes
CAN (ZGGG)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou (Huadu)
99 flights
12 routes
CKG (ZUCK)
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Chongqing
98 flights
8 routes
ENH (ZHES)
Enshi Xujiaping Airport
Enshi (Enshi)
90 flights
3 routes
MIG (ZUMY)
Mianyang Nanjiao Airport
Mianyang (Fucheng)
90 flights
5 routes
Top Border Crossing Flights
PVG (ZSPD)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai, CN
690 flights
47 routes
SJW (ZBSJ)
Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang, CN
242 flights
30 routes
NGB (ZSNB)
Ningbo Lishe International Airport
Ningbo, CN
172 flights
18 routes
SHE (ZYTX)
Shenyang Taoxian International Airport
Shenyang, CN
129 flights
15 routes
SWA (ZGOW)
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang, CN
125 flights
15 routes
SZX (ZGSZ)
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
Shenzhen, CN
113 flights
9 routes
TFU (ZUTF)
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
Chengdu, CN
85 flights
10 routes
Longest Routes
SIN → PVG
Singapore Changi Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
2367 mi
PVG → SIN
Shanghai Pudong International Airport → Singapore Changi
2367 mi
PVG → HKT
Shanghai Pudong International Airport → Phuket Int'l
2197 mi
HKT → PVG
Phuket International Airport → Shanghai Pudong Int'l
2197 mi
URC → SHA
Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport → Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
2036 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
465 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
MFM → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
66 802 mi A321 Dec 10, 2025
DNH → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
53 540 mi A320 Dec 11, 2025
ENH → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
48 734 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
DOY → SHA Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
48 460 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
DOY → CGQ Changchun Longjia Int'l
Changchun
45 576 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
GYS → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
44 949 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
DOY → SZX Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
43 1070 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
DOY → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
43 472 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
HIA → HRB Harbin Taiping Int'l
Harbin
42 901 mi A320 Dec 8, 2025
CKG → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
41 908 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
HIA → SZX Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
40 836 mi A320 Dec 8, 2025
SJW → XMN Xiamen Gaoqi Int'l
Xiamen
40 971 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
WDS → NGB Ningbo Lishe Int'l
Ningbo
40 653 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
CZX → SWA Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang
38 612 mi A320 Dec 7, 2025
SWA → HGH Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l
Hangzhou
37 521 mi A320 Dec 11, 2025
ZYI → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
36 924 mi A320 Dec 4, 2025
KIX → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
36 814 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
SJW → INC Yinchuan Helanshan
Yinchuan
35 451 mi A320 Dec 6, 2025
LJG → PVG Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
34 1338 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
SWA → NKG Nanjing Lukou Int'l
Nanjing
32 585 mi A320 Dec 8, 2025
BHY → SJW Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
Shijiazhuang
32 1202 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
ENH → TNA Jinan Yaoqiang
Jinan
32 634 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
BHY → HFE Hefei Xinqiao Airport
Feixi
32 864 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
WDS → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
31 496 mi A320 Dec 9, 2025
AAT → LHW Lanzhou Zhongchuan International
Lanzhou
30 1109 mi A320 Dec 10, 2025
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: Dec 11, 2025 08:00
Coverage: Observed routes only