Shandong Airlines: A Guide to the Carrier With Two Bases in the Same Market

The fleet

Shandong Airlines' entire fleet is built on the Boeing 737 family, including the latest 737 MAX generations, with no widebody aircraft. This single-type fleet choice simplifies maintenance and pilot training, but it also means that all international routes are flown with single-aisle aircraft, with a necessarily more limited range than the large flag carriers.

Routes and network

The network is centered on the two Shandong bases and extends both to Chinese domestic destinations and to regional links to South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia, all reachable within the 737's range. Anyone booking a Shandong Airlines flight should always check which of the two bases, Jinan or Qingdao, is actually involved in the itinerary, because schedules and connections are organized separately for each airport.

On board and service

The on-board product is that typical of a full-service regional carrier: a meal included on the longer routes, no pretense of an elaborate premium cabin, an approach designed for regional business and leisure customers rather than for long-haul.

Shandong Airlines is a solid choice for anyone traveling to or from Shandong province for Korea, Japan or Southeast Asia without needing a direct intercontinental flight; less suitable for those seeking an elaborate premium cabin or a widebody link. The most useful practical tip is to check carefully whether your flight leaves from Jinan or from Qingdao before arranging a transfer: the two bases are not interchangeable and the distance between them is not negligible.