Lucky Air
A Chinese low-cost airline operating an extensive domestic network, with Kunming as its leading hub and a strong focus on regional connections across China.
About Lucky Air
Lucky Air is a Chinese low-cost carrier founded in 2004 and based in Kunming, Yunnan Province. It began commercial operations in 2006 and has developed within the wider HNA-affiliated aviation portfolio. The airline uses the IATA code 8L and ICAO code LKE, combining a budget-focused business model with a network designed largely around domestic leisure, business and visiting-friends-and-relatives travel.
Kunming is Lucky Air's primary hub and the largest departure point in its network. The airline operates 100 routes serving 43 destinations across 1 country, with other important departure cities including Wuhan, Chongqing, Changsha and Chengdu. Its coverage connects major Chinese metropolitan areas with regional and tourism-oriented destinations such as Jinghong, Lijiang, Dali, Xian, Dalian, Fuzhou and Ganzhou.
Aircraft types used by Lucky Air include the Airbus A319, Boeing 737 and Boeing 737-800. These narrow-body aircraft are well suited to the airline's domestic short- and medium-haul services. Cabins are generally configured around economy travel, while the precise seating product, fare inclusions and availability of upgraded options can vary by aircraft, route and ticket category.
Lucky Air is not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It has previously participated in the U-FLY Alliance, a grouping developed for low-cost airlines in Asia. Eligible passengers can use Fortune Wings Club, the loyalty programme shared by several HNA-affiliated carriers, although mileage earning, redemption eligibility and benefits depend on the fare, operating carrier and current programme rules.
The airline's principal strength is the breadth of its domestic connectivity from Kunming and other inland Chinese cities, including links to destinations that may require a connection on larger network carriers. As with many low-cost airlines, the main practical challenge is that the lowest fares may include fewer services, so travellers should review baggage, seat-selection, change and refund conditions before booking.
Good to know
Flying with Lucky Air — what to expect
Check Fare Inclusions
Lucky Air's lowest fares may exclude checked baggage, advance seat selection or flexible changes. Review the conditions attached to the specific fare before paying.
Baggage Rules Vary
Allowances can differ by fare type and route, and airport charges may be higher than advance-purchase fees. Confirm both cabin and checked-baggage entitlements on your booking.
Kunming Connections
Kunming is Lucky Air's largest hub and a useful connecting point for travel within Yunnan and to other Chinese regions. Leave adequate time between separately issued tickets because protection during disruptions may be limited.
Narrow-Body Fleet
Flights are operated with Airbus A319 and Boeing 737-family aircraft. Seat pitch, cabin layout and onboard amenities can vary between aircraft and fare products.
Domestic Travel Documents
Passengers should ensure that the identification used for booking matches the document presented at check-in and security. Arrive early at major Chinese airports, where document checks and security queues can take time.
Loyalty Eligibility
Fortune Wings Club members should check whether their Lucky Air fare qualifies for mileage credit. Earning rates and benefits may depend on the booking class and current partner rules.
Network overview
Where Lucky Air flies
Lucky Air operates 100 routes to 43 destinations across 1 countries, its longest sector reaching Mangshi to Beijing (2,424 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Lucky Air flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Mangshi → Beijing
2,424 km · LUM → PEK
The longest sector in the Lucky Air network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Lucky Air
CKG - KMGChongqing → Kunming1h 13m630 kmCTU - KMGChengdu → Kunming1h 13m618 kmKMG - CKGKunming → Chongqing1h 13m630 kmKMG - KWEKunming → Guiyang0h 59m419 kmCSX - KMGChangsha → Kunming1h 44m1,077 kmJHG - KMGJinghong → Kunming0h 58m412 kmKMG - CSXKunming → Changsha1h 44m1,077 kmKMG - CTUKunming → Chengdu1h 13m618 kmKWE - KMGGuiyang → Kunming0h 59m419 kmHGH - KMGHangzhou → Kunming2h 35m1,813 kmLHW - URCLanzhou → Urumqi2h 23m1,644 kmLJG - KMGLijiang → Kunming0h 52m321 kmKMG - HGHKunming → Hangzhou2h 35m1,813 kmKMG - JHGKunming → Jinghong0h 58m412 kmKMG - NNGKunming → Nanning1h 11m600 kmReviews of Lucky Air
TripAdvisor · 2016–2022- 53
- 48
- 38
- 24
- 19
What travellers flew
Counted from the 32 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.
Warning ⚠️ - Horrific Experience
Putting aside covid regulations in China at the moment, that we followed and continue to follow without hesitation. We were absolutely gobsmacked to have endured the level of negligence that we experienced on this flight and with this airline. Hands down the… See more worst experience we have ever had, they should re-brand and call the airline ‘unlucky air’. It all started with a desperate attempt to return to our home in Chengdu, being quarantined for 7 days the week before, we were ready to get back to our lives. Under the misdirection of an agent, who assured us that she had phoned the airline and we were 100% going to be able to transit to our following flight in Kunming, the following occurred: We boarded the plane and flew business class for the first time, expecting it to be a wonderful experience, there was not one air hostess that could speak English and as we later found out, we were the only foreigners on the plane. We sat waiting to take off for more than an hour, the actual flight with regard to taxing, take off, turbulence handling and landing were all unusual and disturbing experiences. The fun began when we landed… while packing and getting ready to disembark, we were informed by a fellow passenger that we had to wait for 2 hours (without food or drinks) because we where going to be quarantined in Kunming. To our absolute surprise, the regulation must of changed while we were in the air, we waited for further instruction which never arrived…. After a 2 hour wait without any official communication, the air hostess spread horrific rumors of us having to quarantine in dormitories with no bathroom facilities and that the length of stay was much longer than anticipated. Bare in mind we have never traveled to Kunming before and had no idea what to anticipate. All of a sudden we were rudely told to disembark onto airline buses, shouted at in Chinese and ostracized for asking questions that could not be answered. Through out this process, no one could answer the simplest of questions “where are we going?”, we had Chinese colleagues and friends phone in a desperate attempt to find out what was going on and where we were going but all failed attempts. Reluctantly we got up and tried to disembark the plane, without the help of our friend that previously translated the rumors, we were stranded without any form of communication. The same air hostess (male) who started the rumors had walked off the plane with my phone in hand, no information was given to the agent on the other end and he processed to scroll through my images on his leisurely stroll back to the plane. Long story short… we got onto a bus to the middle of no where that took us 1h30 to disembark at our quarantine hotel for the next 3 days only to be informed that we were not accepted at this hotel as foreigners and should never have been in this situation, we were supposed to transfer as informed but because of the gross negligence experienced by the airline and their staff who were unwilling to help or communicate with us but could manage to create a group for the Chinese passenger’s who knew exactly where they were going and for how long.
See lessPosted August 2022 by Mandi Bezuidenhout, Hong Kong
If cost is an issue you could do a lot worse
Hot tip! By flying from a smaller airport, in this case Mianyang, I saved over 1000¥. Other benefits were no queues and no delays. Lucky Air, charges for checked in luggage. So my fully loaded case (for 2) was a bargain really at 150¥. They also have narrow… See more seats, minimal legroom and no menu. I totally understand that they are a budget airline and these things are luxuries that can be nonessential to a trip. This flight was on time, the plane was modern and clean, the staff polite, and all processes went smoothly. What, then could you complain about?
See lessPosted March 2022 by MattwalesNorthWales, Chengdu
Blacklisted
Since the moment I was queuing for my check-in I realized something weird was going on. Just next to the counter there was another counter whose only function was the one to get extra money from their customers. Once it was my turn the first thing I was asked… See more from their employee was to pay a 200 RMB fine at the aforementioned counter as my small size trolley was too "bulky". I wasn't into arguing therefore I paid was I was asked to pay. At the same time I drew my conclusion to include Lucky Air among my blacklisted flight companies. As for the travel in itself it was kinda uncomfortable as there was a limited room for legs. Since it is a low cost company I correctly assumed the meals wouldn't have been for free, which is something I can accept for an hour or two-hour long journey. But in my case it was a five-hour long journey. Anyway...I don't mind. I am done with "un"Lucky Air.
See lessPosted July 2021 by Gorgan, Florence
Just like any other budget airline
It's just like any other budget airline whereby you'll need to pay for both your food and drinks. Pre-ordered food can be done online but payment is still via cash (RMB) during the flight. Tips:- The noodles taste better than their rice. Take off was a little… See more shaky....which I think is due to the air-craft. Food service is extremely slow. The only reason I took the flight is due to it being a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Lijiang.
See lessPosted December 2019 by Cath2015, Puchong
Want a shaky plane ride? This is it.
Musty plane smells, zero air steward service, and a shaky plane ride from start to finish. Just the type of airline to avoid unless the price is dirt cheap.
Posted October 2019 by Kheng, San Francisco
Very happy
A short flight, on time, efficient check in, professional staff. Wouldn’t hesitate to fly with Lucky Air again.
Posted March 2019 by NswAustraliaDidi
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
Lucky Air — 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
- Lucky Air's busiest departure points are the airports serving Kunming, Wuhan, Chongqing, Changsha and Chengdu, in that order by number of routes. Kunming is the airline's principal hub.
- Lucky Air flies within China, linking major cities and regional destinations. Notable points include Kunming, Wuhan, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Jinghong, Lijiang, Xian, Dali, Dalian, Fuzhou and Ganzhou.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Fares are often lower when booked in advance for midweek travel outside Chinese public holidays, school breaks and peak tourism periods. Compare nearby dates and check the total price after baggage and seat fees.
- Lucky Air serves 43 destinations across 1 country. It operates 100 routes within that network.
- Lucky Air's primary hub is Kunming, with the city's airport serving as its largest departure base. Wuhan, Chongqing, Changsha and Chengdu are also important points in its network.
- Carry-on limits can vary by fare and operating conditions, so passengers should check the baggage rules shown on their ticket or Lucky Air's website. The lowest fares may have more restrictive allowances or charge separately for additional baggage.
- Lucky Air's longest route is Mangshi to Beijing, covering about 2,424 km nonstop.