Shanghai Airlines (ICAO: CSH) was established on December 30, 1985, as China's first commercial airline with multidimensional investment, funded by the Shanghai municipal government and local enterprises. Initially focusing on domestic routes, the airline expanded its operations to include international services starting in 1997. In late 2002, Shanghai Airlines was successfully listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which facilitated its further growth.
The airline's main operational bases and hubs are Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). In February 2010, Shanghai Airlines merged with China Eastern Airlines, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary. Despite the merger, Shanghai Airlines has maintained its distinct brand and livery.
Shanghai Airlines operates a modern and well-maintained fleet, primarily consisting of Boeing 737, 757, and 767 series aircraft. Its route network spans both domestic and international destinations. The airline predominantly serves routes within mainland China, covering over 80 domestic routes to 27 large or medium Chinese cities. Regionally, it flies to destinations like Hong Kong, Taipei, and Macau, with international services reaching major cities in Asia (including Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Thailand) and Australia. Shanghai Airlines is an affiliate member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, aligning with its parent company, China Eastern Airlines, which joined as a full member in 2011. The airline offers a frequent flyer program called "Eastern Miles," shared with China Eastern.
Traveler reviews for Shanghai Airlines generally reflect a mixed to positive sentiment, often highlighting good value for money but also noting areas for improvement.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall sentiment indicates that Shanghai Airlines can offer a good travel experience, especially for its price point, with comfortable planes and satisfactory meals. However, the airline consistently falls short in modern in-flight entertainment offerings and can experience issues with baggage handling and service consistency, particularly concerning English communication.
Shanghai Airlines maintains a commendable safety record. The airline has been highly regarded in China for its accident-free record since its establishment in 1985.
While specific direct statements on IOSA or FAA compliance for Shanghai Airlines itself were not explicitly found, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, it is expected to adhere to the stringent international safety standards upheld by its parent company. Importantly, Shanghai Airlines is not listed on the EU Air Safety List, which bans or restricts airlines from operating in the European Union due to safety concerns.
The airline operates a modern and well-maintained fleet of aircraft. Its parent company, China Eastern Airlines, is known for operating one of the youngest fleets globally and prioritizes its fleet's compliance with safety standards, indicating a strong reputation for maintenance and safety across its operations, including Shanghai Airlines.
Based on available data, Shanghai Airlines demonstrates a robust overall safety assessment, primarily characterized by its long-standing accident-free history and a commitment to maintaining a modern fleet in line with international safety principles. No specific safety awards were explicitly mentioned in the search results, but its strong accident-free record serves as a testament to its safety performance.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAV → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
58 | 927 mi | B733 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| SWA → SHA |
Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
|
47 | 606 mi | B732 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| PEN → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
43 | 2269 mi | 73M | Dec 6, 2025 |
| BKK → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
40 | 1801 mi | B38M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CGO → SHA |
Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
|
38 | 492 mi | B735 | Nov 14, 2025 |
| YIH → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
38 | 615 mi | B735 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PVG → BKK |
Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Int'l
Bangkok
|
35 | 1801 mi | B38M | Dec 5, 2025 |
| KMG → SHA |
Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
|
35 | 1197 mi | B732 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| KWL → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
32 | 825 mi | B735 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RIZ → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
31 | 327 mi | B735 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| RIZ → DLC |
Dalian Zhoushuizi Int'l
Dalian
|
28 | 275 mi | B735 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| HSN → SWA |
Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
Jieyang
|
27 | 570 mi | B735 | Oct 23, 2025 |
| WEH → CGQ |
Changchun Longjia Int'l
Changchun
|
26 | 505 mi | B735 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| KWL → WNZ |
Wenzhou Int'l
Wenzhou
|
26 | 694 mi | B735 | Oct 21, 2025 |
| HLD → HET |
Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
|
24 | 697 mi | B735 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| CGQ → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
24 | 914 mi | B735 | Sep 5, 2025 |
| SWA → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
24 | 617 mi | B735 | Oct 24, 2025 |
| KUL → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
24 | 2362 mi | 73M | Dec 10, 2025 |
| MIG → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
24 | 1007 mi | 73M | Dec 8, 2025 |
| DYG → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
23 | 693 mi | B735 | Oct 18, 2025 |
| LYI → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
22 | 334 mi | B735 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| WEH → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
21 | 419 mi | B735 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| XNN → SHA |
Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l
Shanghai
|
21 | 1165 mi | B733 | Oct 24, 2025 |
| KIX → PVG |
Shanghai Pudong Int'l
Shanghai
|
21 | 814 mi | B735 | Nov 10, 2025 |
| PVG → KUL |
Kuala Lumpur Int'l
Sepang
|
21 | 2362 mi | 73M | Nov 28, 2025 |
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.