Cheap SAL - Shanghai Airlines Flights (FM)

Incorporated in 1985, Shanghai Airlines (hereinafter referred to as “SAL”) is China’s first commercial airline with multiple investments and was listed in China’s Stock Exchange and issued A Share in 2002.

SAL has a fleet of 66 aircraft, including Boeing 737, 757 and 767 series and the size is expected to increase to 80 - 100 by 2010. SAL is one of Boeing’s customers, who will take the first delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

As a Shanghai-based carrier, taking the “Safety First, Customer Priority, Quality Service and Excellence Orientation” as its business philosophy and corporate pursuit, SAL offers flights in or out of Shanghai to over 170 domestic and 13 international and regional destinations. The regional and international combo network is integrated with domestic trunk and feeder lines. In accordance with the build-up strategy plan of Pudong hub, SAL will improve its domestic flight network and also plans to commence long-haul flights to Europe and America, so as to make easy connections for customers.

In the course of its development, SAL‘s overall competitiveness has been further strengthened owing to the stakeholding in China United Airline in 2005 and joint venture of Shanghai Airlines Cargo International. The former, taking the advantage as a Beijing based carrier, is ambitious to grow through the tremendous aviation opportunity arising out of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It currently has 6 aircraft and operates flights to 22 destinations nationwide. The latter, with its base in Shanghai, offers international and regional all-cargo services to America, Germany, Thailand, Japan, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong etc.

In 2004, SAL was accredited by IATA with IOSA certificate and thus became the first airline certified with such a strict civil aviation license in China and even in north Asia. In addition, various awards and prizes have been bestowed on SAL, just to name a few, the “Jinyan” Cup Award, top honor for airlines’ safety performance in China aviation industry, “One-Star” Award granted by Civil Aviation Administration of China for safety flight over one million hours, the first rank amongst airlines in the “China Aviation Customer Satisfaction Annual Survey” and the first prize for flight punctuality in China.

Facts & Figures:

• Number of aircraft: 59
• Number of employees: 5,460
• Passengers per year: 7.48 million
• Sales Revenue (in US$): 1 billion
• Number of scheduled destinations: 71
• Frequent flyer programme: Crane Club (Gold, Silver and Basic)
• Hubs: Shanghai
• Aircraft types: B737, B757, B767, CRJ, HAWKER

Shanghai Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, but its operations remain separate post-merger, retaining its distinct brand and livery.