Sichuan Airlines3U

Sichuan Airlines is one of China's major full-service carriers and the fifth-largest airline in China by fleet size, headquartered in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Founded in 1986, the airline has grown to operate a modern fleet of over 200 aircraft serving more than 150 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

The airline made aviation history in 2018 when it became the world's first operator of the Airbus A350-900, demonstrating its commitment to fleet modernization. Sichuan Airlines is part of the Sichuan Airlines Group and operates from dual hubs at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and the new Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), which opened in 2021.

Sichuan Airlines is known for its strong regional presence in Southwest China, particularly serving the Sichuan and Chongqing region. The airline offers authentic Sichuan cuisine onboard, reflecting the province's famous culinary heritage. Though not a member of a global alliance, Sichuan Airlines has codeshare partnerships with airlines including China Southern, China Eastern, and several international carriers.

Carry-On Allowance

Class	Pieces	Weight (per piece)	Dimensions
Economy	1 piece	5 kg (11 lbs)	55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)
Business	2 pieces	5 kg each	55 x 40 x 20 cm each
First	2 pieces	5 kg each	55 x 40 x 20 cm each

Note: Sichuan Airlines has a strict 5 kg carry-on weight limit, lower than many other Chinese carriers (typically 7-10 kg). Small personal items (handbag, laptop bag) allowed in addition to cabin bag.

Linear Dimensions: Maximum 115 cm (45 in) total (length + width + height).

Checked Baggage - Domestic China

Domestic routes use the weight concept (total allowance, not per bag):

Class	Total Allowance	Notes
Economy	20 kg (44 lbs)	Free allowance
Business	30 kg (66 lbs)	Free allowance
First	40 kg (88 lbs)	Free allowance

Maximum per bag: 32 kg (70 lbs)

Checked Baggage - International

International routes typically use the piece concept:

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
First	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Routes to Americas (piece concept):

• Economy: 2 bags x 23 kg
• Business/First: 2 bags x 32 kg

Size Limit: 158 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions (length + width + height)

Elite Member Benefits

Status	Extra Allowance
Silver Member	+10 kg domestic, +1 piece international
Gold Member	+20 kg domestic, +1 piece international
Platinum Member	+30 kg domestic, +2 pieces international

Excess Baggage Fees

Domestic Routes:

Condition	Fee (CNY)	Fee (USD)
Per kg over allowance	15	~2

International Routes:

Condition	Fee (CNY)	Fee (USD)
Extra piece	1,200-1,800	~165-250
Overweight (23-32 kg)	800-1,200	~110-165
Oversized (159-203 cm)	800-1,000	~110-140

Important: Bags exceeding 32 kg (70 lbs) or 203 cm (80 in) linear dimensions cannot be checked as baggage. Use cargo service instead.

Prepaid Baggage: Purchase extra baggage through the website or app before check-in for discounted rates.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be boxed, handlebars/pedals removed
Car seat	Free
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/mobility aids	Free
Musical instruments (small)	Free as carry-on	If fits in overhead bin
Musical instruments (large)	Seat purchase	Or check in hard case

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at sichuanair.com/baggage before traveling. 1 USD = 7.2 CNY.

Sichuan Airlines offers a distinctive flying experience with authentic Sichuan hospitality and cuisine. The airline operates a modern fleet featuring both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.

First Class

Available on Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft:

Feature	Details
Configuration	1-2-1
Pitch	78-82" (198-208 cm)
Width	22-26" (56-66 cm)
Recline	180-degree lie-flat
Screen	15-18" HD touchscreen
Amenities	Premium amenity kit, bedding, slippers

First Class Highlights:

• Private suites with direct aisle access
• Multi-course Chinese and Western dining
• Premium Sichuan tea service
• Complimentary champagne and premium wines
• Priority check-in and lounge access

Business Class

Available on A330, A350, and select A321 aircraft:

Feature	A350-900	A330
Configuration	1-2-1	2-2-2 (older) / 1-2-1 (newer)
Pitch	72" (183 cm)	60-72"
Width	21" (53 cm)	20-21"
Recline	180-degree lie-flat	Lie-flat
Screen	15.6" HD	12-15"
Direct aisle	All seats	Some aircraft

Business Class Amenities:

• Amenity kits with skincare products
• Turndown service with mattress pad and duvet
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Chinese tea ceremony service
• Multi-course meals with Sichuan specialties
• Priority boarding and lounge access

Economy Class

Feature	A350/A330	A320/A321
Configuration	3-3-3	3-3
Pitch	31-32" (79-81 cm)	30-31"
Width	18" (46 cm)	17.5"
Screen	9-10" touchscreen	9" or streaming
Power	USB + AC	USB

Economy Class Features:

• Complimentary meals on all flights over 2 hours
• Complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Pillows and blankets provided
• Personal entertainment screens on wide-body aircraft

Entertainment

Feature	Details
System	"Sky Sichuan" seatback entertainment
Content	80+ movies, TV shows, music
Languages	Chinese, English
WiFi	Available on A350 fleet (paid)

Note: Entertainment selection includes Chinese and international content. The A350 fleet has the newest systems.

Dining - Sichuan Cuisine

Sichuan Airlines is famous for its authentic Sichuan cuisine, featuring the province's distinctive flavors:

Premium Cabins (First & Business):

• Multi-course meals featuring signature Sichuan dishes
• Mapo tofu, Kung Pao chicken, and other regional specialties
• Chinese tea selection including Sichuan's famous Emeishan tea
• Western meal options available
• Premium Chinese Baijiu and international wines

Economy Class:

• Complimentary hot meals featuring Sichuan flavors
• Choice of Chinese or Western dishes
• Signature spicy options (mild versions available)
• Complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Tea and coffee service throughout flight

Special Meals: Vegetarian, religious, and dietary requirement meals available. Request at least 24 hours before departure.

Booking:

• Book directly on sichuanair.com for best rebooking support during disruptions
• Sichuan Airlines often offers competitive fares to Southwest China destinations
• Compare Chinese site pricing - sometimes lower but may require Chinese payment methods
• Sign up for Sichuan Airlines Member before booking to earn miles
• Look for promotional fares during Chinese holidays (not Golden Week peaks)

Baggage:

• 5 kg carry-on limit is stricter than other carriers - weigh your bag at home
• Prepay excess baggage online for discounts
• Domestic weight concept allows you to distribute weight across multiple bags
• Call ahead for unusual items (sports equipment, musical instruments)

At the Airport:

• CTU has two terminals - verify which one before travel
• TFU (Tianfu) is newer with faster processing but further from city center
• Gold and Platinum members get Business Class check-in
• Allow extra time at Chinese airports during holidays
• Self-service kiosks speed up check-in when available

In-Flight:

• A350 has the best hard product - check aircraft type when booking
• Request Sichuan dishes for authentic regional cuisine
• Spice levels can be adjusted - ask for mild if needed
• Business Class lie-flat seats are good value on overnight flights
• Download content before boarding - WiFi can be limited

Earning Miles:

• Sichuan Airlines Member has reasonable qualification thresholds
• Silver status (20,000 km) achievable with regular domestic travel
• Miles don't extend with activity - redeem before they expire
• Partner miles with China Southern can be valuable for redemptions

Best Value Routes:

• Chengdu to Southeast Asia often priced competitively
• Business Class to western Chinese cities can be affordable
• One-stop connections via Chengdu save significantly
• Direct flights to destinations not served by "Big Three" carriers

Common Issues:

• Website can be slow from outside China
• English customer service wait times longer than Chinese line
• Some online features work better on Chinese website
• Seat selection not always available at booking - check in early
• Credit card foreign transaction fees - use cards with no FTF
• Lower carry-on weight limit (5 kg) catches many travelers by surprise