Air China is China's only flag-carrying civil airline and the world's largest aviation alliance, the Star Alliance member, the 2008 Beijing Olympics air passenger transport partner, with the first brand value of domestic airlines (the World Brand Laboratory in 2013 assessed 76.568 billion yuan), in air passenger, freight and phase. All aspects of service are in the leading position in China. Air China undertakes the special mission of visiting foreign countries by Chinese leaders, and also undertakes the special mission of many foreign heads of state and government in China. This is the unique status of Air China in carrying the flag.

As of December 31, 2013, Air China (including the holding company) has 497 Boeing and Airbus-based aircraft of all types, with an average age of 6.33 years; 298 passenger routes have been operated, including 71 international routes, 15 regional routes, 212 domestic routes, 31 countries (regions) and 154 cities, including international routes and regional routes. There are 47 international, 3 regional and 104 domestic destinations, and the service has been further extended to 1328 destinations in 195 countries through cooperation with other airlines such as Star Alliance members.