Air China vs China United Airlines
Side-by-side comparison of Air China and China United Airlines: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
China
| Air China | China United Airlines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | China |
| Founded | 1988 | 1986 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | Star Alliance | - |
| Main hubs | Beijing Capital International Airport, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Beijing Nanyuan Airport |
| Aircraft types | 9 | 1 |
| Cabin bag weight | 5 kg (11 lb) | - |
| Cabin bag size | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in) | - |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 20 kg (44 lb) | - |
| Online check-in opens | 2 days | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 1 h |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | 810-800-86-100-999 | 4001026666 |
Key differences
- Air China opens online check-in earlier (2 days before departure vs 24 h).
- China United Airlines is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while Air China bundles more into the ticket.
- Air China is a Star Alliance member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
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Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.