Tianjin Airlines (ICAO: GCR) is a prominent Chinese airline recognized for its extensive regional network and growing international presence.
Tianjin Airlines was initially established in 2004 as Grand China Express Air, commencing its operations in 2007. The airline rebranded to its current name, Tianjin Airlines, in June 2009. It is a subsidiary of the HNA Aviation Group and is headquartered in the Dongli District of Tianjin, China. Its primary operational base is Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN). The airline also maintains several secondary hubs across China, including Xi'an (XIY), Hohhot (HET), Urumqi (URC), Guiyang (KWE), Chongqing (CKG), Haikou (HAK), and Dalian (DLC).
Tianjin Airlines operates a modern and diverse fleet, primarily consisting of Airbus A320-family aircraft (A320, A320neo, A321) for short to medium-haul routes, and Embraer regional jets (E190, E195) for regional connectivity. For its long-haul international services, the airline utilizes Airbus A330 aircraft (A330-200, A330-300). As of recent data, its fleet size is approximately 106-110 aircraft, with an average age reported to be around 7.7 to 8.6 years. The airline's route network encompasses over 130 cities, with a strong focus on domestic routes within China, serving more than 300 domestic connections. It also extends its reach to select international destinations in Asia (such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore), Europe (including London and Moscow), and Oceania (like Auckland and Melbourne).
While Tianjin Airlines is not a member of any of the major global airline alliances (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld), it has established codeshare agreements with various carriers, including Shenzhen Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, XiamenAir, and Hainan Airlines, to expand its network. It is also part of the Fortune Wings Club frequent flyer program, which is shared among airlines within the HNA Group. The airline offers both Economy Class and Business Class cabins. Business Class provides amenities such as spacious seating (including flatbed options on some A330s), enhanced meal services featuring a mix of Chinese and Western cuisine, priority boarding, and access to airport lounges.
Recent traveler reviews indicate a mixed, but generally positive, experience with Tianjin Airlines.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, travelers find Tianjin Airlines to be a decent option for its value and staff service, particularly on routes with its newer aircraft or in Business Class. However, consistent improvements are desired in areas like in-flight entertainment, meal quality, and addressing occasional operational hiccups such as delays.
Tianjin Airlines has a commendable safety record, having safely operated its businesses for ten consecutive years as of April 2019. Airline Ratings gives Tianjin Airlines a safety rating of 7 out of 7, based on evaluations updated in February 2024.
The airline has passed important regulatory audits, including the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit), and officially became a member of IATA in 2011, demonstrating its adherence to international safety standards. While specific information on FAA compliance or EU safety list status is not readily available, this is common for airlines whose primary operations are outside these regulatory regions.
Tianjin Airlines operates a relatively modern fleet, with an average age between 7.7 and 8.6 years according to recent reports, though some sources indicate an average age of up to 11 years as of early 2025. The airline emphasizes maintaining a young fleet to benefit from technological advancements and fuel efficiency. Its maintenance is managed through dedicated facilities, upholding industry-leading safety and operational standards.
While Tianjin Airlines has generally maintained a fatality-free record, it has experienced some notable incidents:
Based on available data, Tianjin Airlines maintains a strong overall safety assessment. It has been recognized with the Flight Safety Award from the Civil Aviation Authority in 2020. Additionally, the airline received the SKYTRAX "Best Regional Airline in China" and "World's 4-Star Airline" in 2011, and the "AirlineRatings International Award – Most Improved Airline" in 2017, along with high rankings for on-time performance. Skytrax currently certifies Tianjin Airlines as a 3-Star Airline for its product and service quality.
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIF → HET |
Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
|
82 | 374 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| HLD → HET |
Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
|
80 | 697 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| HLD → CIF |
Chifeng
Chifeng
|
79 | 490 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| HTN → URC |
Urumqi Diwopu Int'l
Urumqi
|
65 | 621 mi | A320 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| CIF → HLD |
Hailar Dongshan
Hailar
|
50 | 875 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TGO → HET |
Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
|
50 | 563 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| BPL → URC |
Urumqi Diwopu Int'l
Urumqi
|
45 | 265 mi | E190 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| TGO → XIL |
Xilinhot
Xilinhot
|
42 | 313 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| IQN → TSN |
Tianjin Binhai Int'l
Tianjin
|
41 | 582 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| HMI → XIY |
Xi'an Xianyang Int'l
Xi'an
|
41 | 998 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| HLD → BAV |
Baotou
Baotou
|
38 | 766 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| XIL → HET |
Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
|
38 | 299 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ZYI → XIY |
Xi'an Xianyang Int'l
Xi'an
|
37 | 485 mi | E190 | Dec 4, 2025 |
| XIL → TSN |
Tianjin Binhai Int'l
Tianjin
|
35 | 339 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| ZYI → HAK |
Haikou Meilan Int'l
Haikou
|
33 | 573 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| XIL → TGO |
Tongliao
Tongliao
|
32 | 313 mi | E190 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| BAV → HLD |
Hailar Dongshan
Hailar
|
32 | 766 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| HUZ → CGO |
Zhengzhou Xinzheng Int'l
Zhengzhou
|
32 | 795 mi | A320 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| HLD → HLH |
Ulanhot
Ulanhot
|
30 | 232 mi | E190 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| KHG → URC |
Urumqi Diwopu Int'l
Urumqi
|
30 | 663 mi | E190 | Nov 21, 2025 |
| HLD → TSN |
Tianjin Binhai Int'l
Tianjin
|
30 | 708 mi | A320 | Oct 24, 2025 |
| WMT → HAK |
Haikou Meilan Int'l
Haikou
|
29 | 604 mi | E190 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| JNG → UYN |
Yulin
Yulin
|
28 | 420 mi | E190 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| LZO → HUZ |
Huizhou Pingtan Airport
Huizhou
|
26 | 702 mi | E190 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| TGO → CIF |
Chifeng
Chifeng
|
26 | 196 mi | E190 | Oct 23, 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.