Spring Airlines Route Map 2026

Spring Airlines, operating as 9C, is a Chinese low-cost carrier established in 2005 and headquartered in Shanghai. Unlike traditional state-backed airlines in China, it was founded as a private venture and maintains independent ownership. The carrier focuses on price-competitive travel within China and across Asia, positioning itself as a budget alternative to full-service operators. While it lacks membership in a global airline alliance, it does have codeshare agreements with select partners, primarily within Asia. Its business model centres on high-frequency, point-to-point services rather than hub-and-spoke connections. The airline is licensed under Chinese civil aviation regulations and operates under standard airline safety oversight.

Spring Airlines connects Shanghai’s two major airports—Hongqiao (SHA) and Pudong (PVG)—to over 80 destinations, with a strong emphasis on domestic routes across eastern and southern China. Internationally, it serves secondary and tertiary cities in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Australia, targeting leisure markets rather than business hubs. The airline avoids primary airports where possible, often flying into regional airports such as Fukuoka or Siem Reap instead of Tokyo Narita or Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. Domestic services include major cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, while international expansion has focused on Japan’s regional airports and Thailand’s tourist destinations. Codeshares are limited but include interline agreements for connecting traffic.

Spring Airlines operates a single-cabin, high-density configuration on all aircraft, with no premium economy or business class. Seats are sold without assigned numbers by default, though passengers can pay a fee to select specific seats at booking. The airline’s baggage policy is strict: one free cabin bag of up to 10kg is included, but check-in baggage requires an additional charge. Meals and non-alcoholic drinks are sold on board, with limited complimentary water. Unlike many low-cost carriers, Spring Airlines does not charge for seat selection during online check-in, though fees apply for airport counter seat assignments. Its fleet consists primarily of Airbus A320 family aircraft, with no wide-body jets, limiting its long-haul capabilities.

Spring Airlines (9C) is an independent carrier founded in 2004. The airline operates a fleet of 128 aircraft serving approximately 25M passengers annually across 110 destinations in 15 countries. Its main hub is Shanghai Hongqiao International (SHA) in Shanghai, China.

China's largest LCC — Shanghai-based ultra-low-cost.