Which Airlines Fly to China? A Guide to Your Options

Getting to China has never been easier than now — dozens of airlines serve its big international gateways, and with visa-free entry now open to many nationalities, even a short trip is realistic. Here’s who flies there and how to choose. Air China, China Southern, China Eastern are the 3 biggest state-owned carriers.

Since the start of the Russia–Ukraine war, most Western airlines are barred from — or choose to avoid — Russian airspace. On long-haul routes to China that means lengthy detours, and some carriers have suspended their China flights altogether.

Chinese airlines are your best options to save time and money.

The main gateway airports

Most long-haul flights land at one of these hubs, all with onward high-speed rail and domestic connections:

  • Beijing — Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX)
  • Shanghai — Pudong (PVG), the busiest international gateway
  • Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX), Chengdu (TFU), Xiamen (XMN), and more

Chinese national carriers

China’s own airlines fly the most direct routes and often the cheapest non-stops.

5-Star (Skytrax rated)

  • Hainan Airlines ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — the only Chinese mainland carrier to hold 5-star Skytrax status, known for good service and clean cabins.

Others

  • Air China (Star Alliance) ⭐⭐⭐ — flag carrier, main international hub is Beijing.
  • China Eastern (SkyTeam) ⭐⭐⭐ — based in Shanghai, large international network.
  • China Southern (SkyTeam) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — based in Guangzhou & Beijing (PKX), largest by fleet size.
  • Xiamen Airlines (SkyTeam) — subsidiary of China Southern, consistently good reviews.
  • Shenzhen Airlines (Star Alliance) — Air China subsidiary, hubbed in Shenzhen.
  • Sichuan Airlines ⭐⭐⭐ — independent carrier hubbed in Chengdu and Chongqing, with distinctive panda-liveried A350s.

(Ratings are by Skytrax and updated periodically.)

Direct from North America

  • United, American, Delta — non-stops from hubs like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York.
  • Air Canada — from Vancouver and Toronto.
  • Plus Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan on the same routes, often cheaper.

Direct from Europe

  • Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Finnair, Swiss, Virgin Atlantic — non-stops from major European hubs.
  • Turkish Airlines via Istanbul reaches China with one easy stop and a vast network.
  • Chinese carriers also fly direct from London, Paris, Frankfurt, and beyond — and are usually faster here, since they can overfly Russia, as in the section above.

Best one-stop options (often great value)

If there’s no convenient non-stop, a single connection through a major hub is comfortable and frequently cheaper:

  • Middle East: Emirates (Dubai), Qatar Airways (Doha), Etihad (Abu Dhabi) — excellent service and wide reach.
  • Asia: Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (Singapore), Korean Air & Asiana (Seoul), ANA & JAL (Tokyo), Thai (Bangkok).

These hubs connect almost anywhere to almost any Chinese city.

How to find the best fare

  • Compare everything in one place on Trip.com (affiliate) — it’s foreigner-friendly, in English, and shows both international and Chinese carriers.
  • Book 2–3 months ahead for the best prices, and avoid Chinese public holidays (Spring Festival, early-October National Day) when fares spike.
  • Check alliances if you collect miles — Star Alliance (Air China), SkyTeam (China Eastern/Southern), or oneworld (Cathay).
  • Weigh a one-stop — it’s often hundreds cheaper and lands you somewhere just as well-connected.

Before you fly

Whichever airline you choose, get the essentials sorted first: