Shenzhen Airlines is a Star Alliance member from southern China, majority-owned by Air China and based at Shenzhen Bao'an International. It flies to about 80 destinations in China, Asia, Australia and Europe, giving Star Alliance flyers a route into the Pearl River Delta. Points go to PhoenixMiles. Cabins are Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
Shenzhen Airlines is a Star Alliance airline majority-owned by Air China, based in the southern tech city of Shenzhen.
Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Shenzhen Airlines. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.
Shenzhen Airlines is a Chinese airline headquartered at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) in Guangdong province, majority-owned by Air China and a Star Alliance member since 2012. It flies to about 92 destinations, mostly in China, with international routes to Asia, Australia and Europe, and suits travellers starting a trip in southern China or close to Hong Kong.
Shenzhen Airlines was founded in November 1992 and began flying on 17 September 1993. It carried 16.5 million passengers in 2010, up 9 percent on the year before, and joined Star Alliance in 2012, one of only two Chinese members of the alliance.
Air China owns 51 percent, Shenzhen International Holdings 28.1 percent and Kunhang Investment 20.9 percent. Shenzhen Airlines in turn holds a controlling stake in Kunming Airlines.
Shenzhen Bao'an is the hub, and focus cities include Beijing Capital, Guangzhou, Nanning, Shenyang, Wuxi and Zhengzhou. Most flights are domestic. International destinations include London Heathrow, Melbourne, Seoul Incheon, Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo Narita, and a Shenzhen to Sydney route is scheduled to start on 14 December 2026.
Besides Star Alliance, Shenzhen Airlines takes part in joint ventures with Air China, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Swiss, and codeshares with 13 airlines, among them Cathay Pacific, ANA, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.
Checked against trusted sources:
Shenzhen Airlines official website
Shenzhen Airlines (IATA: ZH, ICAO: CSZ) is a Chinese airline founded in 1992 and based at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. A Star Alliance member majority-owned by Air China, it flies about 200 Airbus A320-family, Boeing 737 and A330 aircraft to around 80 destinations in China, Asia, Australia and Europe.
| Headquarters | Bao’an, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China |
|---|---|
| Fleet types | Airbus A320, A320neo, A321neo, A330-300, A350-900, Boeing 737-800, 737 MAX 8 |
| Frequent flyer | PhoenixMiles |
| Official website | global.shenzhenair.com |
Flight routes
Shenzhen (SZX) departures7 destinations
Shenzhen (SZX) departures8 destinations
Shenzhen Airlines had about 205 aircraft in June 2026 and is still growing. In July 2026 it reportedly agreed to buy 40 more A320neo-family jets for delivery between 2029 and 2032, and it is receiving Airbus A350s transferred from Air China for longer routes.
On Shenzhen Airlines you can choose from Economy, Premium Economy and Business, depending on the route and the aircraft.
Full service
More room
Front cabin
Air China’s frequent flyer programme, used by Shenzhen Airlines.
Shenzhen Airlines uses PhoenixMiles, the Air China frequent flyer programme. Members can also earn on Star Alliance partner flights.
On Shenzhen Airlines, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your ZH e-ticket.
Domestic flights use a weight allowance; international flights may differ. Check your e-ticket.
Here is the order to follow for a ZH flight: check in, sort your documents, meet the airport deadline and drop your bags.
Where your flight allows it, check in on global.shenzhenair.com or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.
Booking ref + surnameInternational Shenzhen Airlines passengers need a passport and whatever visa, residence permit or entry documents the destination requires. Domestic ZH passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.
Passport · visa · IDShenzhen Airlines closes its check-in counters before departure, and passengers who miss the cut-off can be refused boarding. Leave room for bag drop and security at SZX.
Well before departureHand in checked luggage at the Shenzhen Airlines counter or bag drop, then keep your boarding pass and passport ready for security and the gate.
Shenzhen Airlines counterHow to find a cheaper Shenzhen Airlines fare without giving up the bag or seat you need.
Compare a full week of Shenzhen Airlines departures; midweek days are often priced below Fridays and Sundays.
Midweek flightsChinese New Year and Golden Week in October are the busiest travel periods.
Chinese New YearLook at the next Shenzhen Airlines fare up: if it bundles a hold bag or easier changes, it may beat the basic fare plus extras.
Baggage & changesSearch Shenzhen Airlines alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.
Search Shenzhen Airlines flightsOthers of this kind you opened on this device, so you can get back to them quickly.
Yes. Together with its parent Air China, it is one of two mainland Chinese airlines in the alliance.
Air China owns 51%.
It depends on the Shenzhen Airlines fare you hold. The cheapest fares carry the strictest change rules, so read them before buying and make changes with the airline or the agent that issued the ticket.
On an infant ticket, a child under two usually flies on an adult’s lap. Add the baby when you book with Shenzhen Airlines and check what it allows for prams and car seats.
Type the ZH flight number into the status page on global.shenzhenair.com, the app or a flight tracker.
Get an answer from the bookingMentor travel team and travellers who have flown Shenzhen Airlines.
Everything travellers ask before flying Shenzhen Airlines.
Checked against global.shenzhenair.com and public aviation references, with a review each season.
Getting there
Shenzhen Airlines uses the IATA code ZH and the ICAO code CSZ. Its radio callsign is SHENZHEN AIR.
The Shenzhen Airlines baggage allowance depends on your route, cabin and fare. The Baggage allowance section of this guide gives 4 figures, by cabin and route where they differ. Check the allowance printed on your ticket before you pack.
Online check-in: yes. Check in on global.shenzhenair.com. The Check-in section of this guide walks through it in 4 steps.
Shenzhen Airlines was founded in 1992, 34 years ago.
Booking
Shenzhen Airlines flies to about 80 destinations. They are listed by region, with fares and route guides where we have them, in the destinations section of this page.
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