Founded in 1988, it is a listed company, one of China's top 500 companies, a well-known brand in the field of air transport under China Aviation Group, and a comprehensive enterprise integrating air passenger transport, air cargo and logistics

Air China Co., Ltd. is referred to as "Air China", the English name is "Air China Limited", referred to as "Air China", and its predecessor Air China was established in 1988. In October 2002, Air China, together with China Aviation Corporation and China Southwest Airlines, established the China National Aviation Group Corporation (CNCC) in accordance with the Civil Aviation System Reform Plan approved by the State Council. On September 30, 2004, with the approval of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Air China was officially established in Beijing as the main air transport company controlled by China Aviation Group. On December 15, 2004, Air China Limited was successfully listed in Hong Kong (stock code: 0753) and London (stock code: AIRC).

Air China's corporate logo consists of an artistic phoenix, "Air China" written by Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China's reform and opening up, and "AIR CHINA" in English. "Phoenix" is the auspicious bird in the ancient legend of the Chinese nation, and is the king of birds. The Air China logo is the Phoenix, which is embodied in the "China Red Phoenix VIP". The color of the logo is traditional Chinese red, and the shape shows the phoenix posture with simple and dancing lines, and at the same time, it is an artistic transformation of the English "VIP" (distinguished guest). "The phoenix, the benevolent bird", "the world is peaceful when you see it", the phoenix "comes out of the country of oriental gentlemen, soaring beyond the four seas", picking up the British and chewing China, and the ambition is high. The core connotation of Air China's Phoenix spirit is to "convey auspiciousness, lead the group, and surpass oneself". Air China's vision is "the world's leading airline", its mission is "Safety First, Four-hearted Service, Steady Development, Achievement of Employees and Fulfillment of Responsibility", its values are "People-oriented, Responsible, Enterprising, and Enjoy Flying", and its brand positioning is "Professional Trust, International Quality, and Chinese Style".

As of December 31, 2015, Air China (including its holding company) owned a total of 590 aircraft of various types, mainly Boeing and Airbus. With an average age of 6.2 years, it has operated 360 passenger routes, including 100 international routes, 15 regional routes, 245 domestic routes, 40 navigable countries (regions) and 174 navigable cities, including 64 international, 4 regional and 106 domestic, and further expanded its services to 1,330 destinations in 193 countries through cooperation with Star Alliance member airlines.