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Spring Airlines, based in Shanghai, has established itself as China’s largest low-cost airline with a fleet of 134 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Founded in 2004 by the Spring Travel Agency, the airline began operations in 2005 and focused on providing affordable air travel for China’s growing middle class. By operating only the Airbus A320 family and using dense seating layouts, Spring Airlines has differentiated itself from major state-owned carriers such as Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern.
Josh Wood, Safety and Service Quality Manager at AirlineRatings, reviewed six flights with Spring Airlines on both domestic and international routes to assess its service.
The airline’s planes are configured in an all-economy layout with a standard 3-3 seating arrangement. Extra legroom seats are available in rows 1 and 2 and at emergency exits, while most seats have a pitch between 28 and 29 inches. Wood noted that “extra legroom is worth paying for on overnight flights,” but standard seats are manageable for shorter trips. The seats do not recline or have adjustable headrests, which is typical for low-cost carriers.
