Tianjin Airlines: The Chinese Airline With the Largest Embraer Fleet in Asia

The fleet

Unlike most Chinese regional carriers, Tianjin Airlines mixes the Airbus A320 family with a large number of Embraer E190s and E195s, plus a few widebody Airbus A330s for the longer routes. The Embraer jets, smaller than an A320, make it possible to sustainably operate routes with more modest demand, where a larger aircraft would fly half-empty.

Routes and network

The five-base structure is a peculiarity of the carrier: it is not a single hub-and-spoke network, but five regional networks resting on different bases, serving more than 130 cities in total. This means that two apparently similar Tianjin Airlines flights may have little in common in terms of operational origin.

History and positioning

The decision to focus on E-Jets reflects a "right-sizing" strategy: serving regional routes that would otherwise remain uncovered or become unprofitable with larger aircraft, a role complementary to the other airlines of the HNA group.

Tianjin Airlines is useful mainly for those who need to reach second- and third-tier Chinese cities poorly served by the big carriers, thanks to its purpose-sized regional jet fleet; less suitable for those looking for the comfort of a widebody cabin on most routes. Before booking a transfer, always check which of the five bases, Tianjin, Haikou, Hohhot, Urumqi or Xi'an, your flight actually departs from, because the carrier's name doesn't reveal it.