Airline Consolidation

Shanghai Airlines is a likely focus for further consolidation of Chinese commercial aviation as larger carriers, especially Air China, look for greater access to the country’s biggest city.

An Air China takeover of the second-level carrier would be a big step toward creating the balanced nationwide operator that China still lacks in any of its big-three airlines—China Southern, Air China and China Eastern. With a domestic network operated by 59 aircraft, Shanghai Airlines has also caught the eye of China Eastern.

In Shanghai’s airports China Eastern serves nearly 40% of travelers. Shanghai Airlines comes second, with 18%. Air China, a mere 12%. Air China needs a stronger presence in southern mainland China, as well as Shanghai, but in that part of the country it already has a foothold, a 25% stake in Shenzhen Airlines.

Not to be negative, but the last thing that Air China "needs" is another flight. It needs to vaccum and clean its planes. They are disgusting.

In fairness to Shanghai Airlines, I've only flown a small commuter flight to Xiamen with it, but I have nothing nice to say there either. The plane didn't crash. I guess that's a plus.

Luckily, I've managed to avoid Shenzhen Airlines.

The Chinese need to be given a tour of several western planes. Someone needs to point out that dirt and spit are regularly cleaned off the carpets and walls of the planes, and they don't smell.

The staff should be prohibited from having any contact with western flight attendants, however, because this is one area where the Chinese clearly excel. There are no fat, rude flight attendants on the Chinese airlines. As a general rule, they seem to be more service-oriented than most Chinese enterprises and don't give off the impression that they'd rather not have you there.