Air China

Q: What are Air China's airline codes?

Air China's IATA code is CA , its ICAO code is CCA , and its callsign is AIR CHINA .

CA CCA

Air China is the flag carrier of China and a member of Star Alliance, with its main hub at Beijing Capital International Airport. This guide covers its hubs, network, fleet, cabins, baggage, check-in, PhoenixMiles and airport transportation.

533
Aircraft: 203
Destinations: PEK
Hub: Star Alliance
Alliance

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The airline

About Air China

Schedules, aircraft assignments, terminals and fare rules can change. Confirm operational details directly with Air China before travel.

Official name: Air China Limited
Callsign: AIR CHINA
Country: China
Founded: July 1, 1988
Parent company: China National Aviation Holding Corporation (CNAH)
Head office: Shunyi District, Beijing, China
Alliance: Star Alliance (member since 2007)
Frequent-flyer program: PhoenixMiles
Official website: airchina.com.cn

Air China is the flag carrier of China. It was founded on July 1, 1988, and is headquartered in Shunyi District, Beijing, near Beijing Capital International Airport. Its parent company is China National Aviation Holding Corporation (CNAH), and its group includes Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Air Macau, Dalian Airlines and Air China Cargo. Air China has been a member of Star Alliance since 2007.

Its main hub is Beijing Capital International Airport, where it uses Terminal 3, and it also flies from Beijing Daxing. Chengdu, with Tianfu and Shuangliu airports, is its second international hub, and Shanghai and Shenzhen are among its other bases. In 2025 it served 203 cities in 46 countries and regions, across China, Asia, Europe, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania.

The fleet of about 530 aircraft combines Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330 and A350 jets with Boeing 737, 747-8, 777-300ER and 787-9 aircraft and COMAC C909 and C919 jets.

Network

Where Air China flies

Routes and frequencies change with the season. Some flights sold with a CA flight number are operated by Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines or Star Alliance partners; check the "operated by" line when you book.

China

An extensive domestic network from Beijing and Chengdu, with flights to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Hangzhou and other cities, plus Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei.

Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia

Tokyo Narita and Haneda, Osaka, Nagoya and Seoul; Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Manila, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

South and Central Asia

Delhi, Colombo, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Karachi, Almaty, Astana, Tashkent and Bishkek.

Europe

London Heathrow and Gatwick, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Milan, Vienna, Geneva, Athens, Budapest, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Brussels, Warsaw, Bucharest, Zagreb, Istanbul and Moscow.

Middle East and Africa

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Cairo and Johannesburg, which is served via Shenzhen.

The Americas

Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York JFK and Washington Dulles in the United States; Vancouver and Toronto in Canada; and São Paulo, which is served via Madrid.

Australia and New Zealand

Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

Aircraft

Air China fleet

Air China flies a mixed Airbus, Boeing and COMAC fleet of about 530 aircraft. More Airbus A320neo-family and A350-900 jets and COMAC C919s are on order. The aircraft shown at booking is not guaranteed until departure.

Boeing 747-8I and 777-300ER

Large widebody aircraft used on high-demand long-haul routes to Europe and North America.

Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9

Long-haul routes to Europe, North America, the Middle East and Oceania.

Airbus A330-200 and A330-300

Medium- and long-haul routes in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Airbus A319, A320 and A321

Domestic routes and shorter international flights, including A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

Boeing 737

The 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 fly domestic routes and regional flights in Asia.

COMAC C909 and C919

Chinese-built jets used mainly on domestic routes.

On board

Air China cabin classes

Cabins depend on the aircraft and route. Check the seat map and fare conditions before you buy.

First Class

Offered on the Boeing 747-8I and Boeing 777-300ER on selected long-haul routes.

Business Class

Flat-bed seats on most widebody aircraft; recliner seats on narrowbody aircraft.

Premium Economy

A separate cabin on the Airbus A330-300 and A350-900 and the Boeing 747-8I and 787-9, between Business and Economy.

Economy Class

The standard cabin on every aircraft. Fare type affects baggage, changes and seat selection.

Before you fly

Practical information

Baggage Cabin bags, checked bags, missing luggage

Air China baggage allowances depend on the route, the cabin, the fare and PhoenixMiles or Star Alliance status. Check your booking for the allowance that applies.

Carry-on

Carry-on allowances depend on the cabin: Economy and Premium Economy passengers have a smaller allowance than First and Business Class passengers. Check the size and weight limits for your cabin on Air China's website before you fly.

Checked baggage

On international routes Air China uses a piece allowance. First and Business Class passengers can check 2 pieces of up to 32 kg (70 lb) each; in Premium Economy and Economy the number of 23 kg (50 lb) pieces depends on fare. Each piece must not exceed 203 cm (80 in) in total length, width and height.

Special items

Sports equipment, pets, oversized items and medical equipment follow separate rules. Check the official Air China website before you fly.

Check-in and boarding Steps before departure

Online check-in times vary by airport. For international flights, online check-in generally opens 36 hours before departure; for domestic flights it opens at 8:00 p.m. two days before departure and closes 1 hour before. Follow the check-in and bag-drop deadlines shown in your booking.

1 Confirm
Confirm the operating airline, the airport (for example, Beijing Capital or Beijing Daxing) and the terminal.
2 Documents
Review passport, visa and entry requirements for your destination.
3 Check in
Check in online or in the Air China app as soon as it opens.
4 Boarding pass
Download the mobile boarding pass or print it.
5 Arrive early
Allow time for bag drop, security and, on international flights, immigration.

Lounges

Air China operates its own lounges at Beijing Capital Terminal 3 and other airports in its network. Access depends on cabin, PhoenixMiles or Star Alliance status and the itinerary. Check the location and opening hours before you travel.

Loyalty program

PhoenixMiles is the Air China loyalty program. Members earn miles on Air China, its group airlines and other Star Alliance flights and with partner businesses, and redeem them for flights, upgrades and other rewards. Program rules change, so check your account for the conditions that apply to your trip.

Flight status and customer service Official sources

For current operational information, use Air China's official services:

Air China website

airchina.com.cn for booking, check-in, trip management and flight status

Air China app

Available for iOS and Android, with mobile check-in, boarding passes and trip management

Where you land

Air China airports

Beijing has two international airports, Beijing Capital (PEK) and Beijing Daxing (PKX), and Chengdu also has two, Tianfu (TFU) and Shuangliu (CTU). Air China flies from both airports in each city, so check the airport and terminal on your booking before you arrange a transfer.

Beijing Capital International Airport Hub

PEK · Beijing

Air China's main hub and the base for most of its international and long-haul flights. Air China uses Terminal 3, which it shares with other Star Alliance airlines.