Donghai Airlines
A privately owned Chinese scheduled carrier based in Shenzhen, operating a predominantly domestic network with an all-Boeing 737 fleet.
About Donghai Airlines
Donghai Airlines is a privately owned Chinese airline founded in 2002 and headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. It began as a cargo operator under the name Jetwin Cargo Airline, later operating as East Pacific Airlines before adopting the Donghai Airlines identity. Passenger services commenced in 2014, shifting the company’s emphasis from dedicated freight operations toward scheduled passenger flying within China.
The airline’s primary operating base is Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, one of southern China’s principal aviation gateways. From Shenzhen, Donghai Airlines serves a broad selection of provincial capitals, commercial centres and regional cities. Its network is concentrated within mainland China, although limited international services have also appeared in its schedules, including links between Shenzhen and Vientiane in Laos.
Donghai Airlines operates a narrow-body fleet drawn from the Boeing 737 family, principally the Boeing 737-800, alongside a smaller number of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. These jets are suited to short- and medium-haul routes. Aircraft may offer business-class and economy-class seating, but the cabin configuration and onboard amenities can differ by airframe and route.
Donghai Airlines does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, so passengers should not expect the alliance-wide earning, redemption and reciprocal status benefits available on larger network carriers. The airline has offered customer membership benefits through its own channels, but travellers should confirm current enrolment, mileage and redemption arrangements directly with Donghai Airlines before booking.
A key strength is Donghai Airlines’ ability to provide nonstop links from Shenzhen to Chinese cities that may otherwise require a connection on larger carriers. Its comparatively small fleet and limited international footprint, however, mean fewer schedule alternatives when a flight is disrupted. English-language digital support may also be less extensive than at China’s largest airlines, making advance preparation useful for overseas travellers.
Good to know
Flying with Donghai Airlines — what to expect
Shenzhen Base
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is Donghai Airlines’ main base and generally offers its widest choice of routes. Allow adequate transfer time because the airport is large and gate assignments can change.
Boeing 737 Fleet
Flights are operated with Boeing 737-family aircraft configured for short- and medium-haul travel. Seat layout and business-class availability may vary, so review the aircraft details shown during booking.
Baggage Rules
Checked and cabin baggage entitlements depend on the fare, cabin and route. Confirm the allowance on your ticket because lower fares may carry more restrictive conditions.
Limited Alliance Benefits
Donghai Airlines is not a member of a global airline alliance. Do not assume that status privileges or miles from an unrelated carrier will be recognised.
Disruption Planning
The airline’s smaller fleet can provide fewer same-day alternatives during irregular operations. Keep contact details current and consider extra connecting time when travelling on separate tickets.
Route network
Popular routes operated by Donghai Airlines
Notable destinations on Donghai Airlines's network.
DZShenzhendirectDZBeijingdirectDZShanghaidirectDZChengdudirectDZChongqingdirectDZKunmingdirectDZNanjingdirectDZHangzhoudirectDZXi'andirectDZHarbindirectDZHaikoudirectDZVientianedirectDestination list is indicative of Donghai Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Donghai Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2016–2021- 51
- 42
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What travellers flew
Counted from the 8 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Worst business class flight I’ve ever experienced
I just want to warn anyone thinking about booking a business class flight on Donghai that they will likely regret it. After checking in, I inquired why I hadn’t received a pass for the lounge…and that’s where I got my first surprise. Apparently, they don’t… See more participate in any of the lounge services, so customers are out of luck. Instead, they used the translate app to tell me that I would “enjoy the luxury in the air.” Uh, yeah, right. I get on the plane and they asked me what I’d like to drink, so I asked for a beer. Surprise number two! They don’t serve alcohol on the plane. Then, when I didn’t think it could get any worse, they brought out the meal service. I was APPALLED. I have gotten better food (this was a box with a roll, a banana, and a few peanuts..along with some mystery meat on a hamburger bun) on economy flights in third world countries. I get it now that this is a super economy company, but I didn’t when I booked it. Now I know (and so should everyone else). Never again. OH! And one more thing. The man across the row flew with no mask on, feet on the wall, music playing loudly through the external speaker, and his seat reclined the ENTIRE flight and apparently this wasn’t a problem for the flight attendants. Apparently trashy behavior is tolerated on Donghai as well. Ugh.
See lessPosted October 2021 by bjk127, Shenzhen
Cancelled flight with no alternatives stranding Australian citizens in China at height of Coronavirus outbreak
Was due to fly home after the chinese new year. Arrived at the airport to find that Airline had made a commercial decision in light of the coronavirus reducing passenger numbers to cancel the flight between Darwin and Shenzhen, stranding ourselves and… See more approximately 20 other people in China, with no offer of alternate flights, Accommodation, or anything other than a refund. Currently having to pay for $6000 of extra flights and accommodation to try and get myself and my family home. Discussed with Donghai personnel who seemed to indicate a refund as you've arrived at the airport was fair enough recompense for the drama of having to completely rebook flights, accommodation and make other changes at the last minute in the height of the coronavirus and associated travel restrictions. Will never fly Donghai again.
See lessPosted February 2020 by Fearless800683
Convenient and fast flight opening new places to travel
Only 5.5 hours to China compared to 4.45 hours to Singapore but you arrive to a different world. Shenzhen is a modern clean city where everything is about 1/3 of what it will cost in Singapore, including the airfares to Europe!
Posted October 2019 by KonVat, Darwin
At the airport a robot approached and scanned me
Arriving at the airport in Shenzhen, I was greeted by a robot who came up to me and I greeted him. He looked at me and went away. I guess the mission was safe The waiting room was fine, with each seat having its own charging port and service is in place Flight… See more takeoff was delayed by over an hour. The airfare was a bargain price, the seat was comfortable, but the delay was long.
See lessPosted October 2019 by KodoDrummer, Buenos Aires
Good value
As far as flights go I have no complaints about the quality of Donghai airlines. The plane was clean and seats were comfortable. The only real problem was the over 1 hour delay, but I do believe it was beyond the airline's control.
Posted April 2019 by Globetrottinggirl, Fowlerville
Good service on the route from Beijing to Shenzhen
First time for me with Donghai. They are a small carrier based in Shenzhen. Generally my impression was very positive. plane was brand new and very tidy Boeing 737-800, service was good, food was good. Only gripe is that while they did show some TV shows,… See more these were only in Chinese and that was the only form of in-flight entertainment. It is only a three-hour domestic flight but it is possible to offer a little more. I will recommend them though.
See lessPosted March 2016 by BJlawyer, Tel Aviv
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Donghai Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Donghai Airlines serves several dozen destinations, but the total changes as seasonal and operational schedules are revised. Check the airline’s current timetable for an up-to-date network count.
- The airline’s longest scheduled route can change with seasonal network adjustments. Consult the current timetable for the longest nonstop sector available on your travel dates.
- Cabin baggage limits vary by fare, cabin and route. Check the allowance printed on your booking and confirm current size and weight rules with Donghai Airlines before departure.
- Fares are often lowest when booked ahead for midweek travel outside Chinese public holidays and school breaks. Compare nearby dates, as prices can rise sharply around Lunar New Year and Golden Week.
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is the airline’s most important departure point. Other frequently used airports vary with the seasonal timetable and its network of domestic routes.
- Donghai Airlines’ primary hub and operating base is Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in Guangdong, China.
- Donghai Airlines flies mainly within mainland China from Shenzhen, serving major cities and regional centres. Its schedules have also included limited international service, notably Vientiane in Laos.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee to the price shown.