Short answer: yes. Air China has gone more than 24 years without a fatal accident, its regulator holds a Category 1 rating from the US FAA, and no Chinese carrier appears on the EU’s list of banned airlines.
The record includes one controlled-flight-into-terrain crash in 2002 and a 2018 cockpit-vaping incident that got two pilots fired but caused no crash or injury.
Accident record
One fatal accident in the airline’s history: flight CA129 on 15 April 2002, a controlled-flight-into-terrain crash near Busan, South Korea, that killed 129 of the 166 people on board. No fatal accident since.
The 2018 incident
On 10 July 2018, a co-pilot vaping in the cockpit on flight CA106 triggered an emergency descent from cruise altitude. No one was hurt; the CAAC fired both pilots and fined the airline.
Current standing
China’s aviation regulator, the CAAC, holds a Category 1 rating from the FAA and scored 90.19% on ICAO’s latest safety-oversight audit, well above the global average of 68.8%.
What the current checks show
| Check | Result |
|---|---|
| FAA IASA rating (China) | Category 1 — meets ICAO oversight standards |
| EU Air Safety List | No Chinese carrier listed or banned |
| ICAO USOAP audit (2024) | 90.19% effective implementation, vs 68.8% global average |
| IOSA registration | Registered and current |
| Star Alliance membership | Member since 12 December 2007 |
| AirlineRatings.com score | 7/7 stars (private commercial rating, not a regulator) |
Notable incidents
Two events make up Air China’s full incident history worth knowing before you fly: one fatal accident in 2002, and one cockpit-discipline case in 2018 that involved no crash.
| Date | Flight | What happened | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 April 2002 | CA129, Boeing 767-2J6ER (B-2552), Beijing–Busan | Controlled-flight-into-terrain crash into Mount Dotdae during a circling approach to Gimhae International Airport in poor weather | 129 of 166 on board killed, 37 survived. South Korea’s investigation board (then KAIB, now ARAIB) cited descent below minimum safe altitude and loss of visual reference; the CAAC disputed part of the finding, pointing to an unlicensed air traffic controller. |
| 10 July 2018 | CA106, Boeing 737, Hong Kong–Dalian | First officer vaping in the cockpit hit the wrong switch while clearing smoke, cutting cabin pressurization and triggering an emergency descent | Landed safely in Dalian, no injuries. Air China fired both pilots; the CAAC fined the airline, temporarily cut its 737 flight frequency, and ordered a three-month safety review. |
Twenty-four years without a repeat is long enough that none of Air China’s roughly 530 current aircraft has any link to CA129. The 2018 case produced no crash, no structural damage, and no fatalities. It was a cockpit-discipline failure, not an airworthiness problem.
What travellers should check
- Confirm the aircraft type and route on your booking, since Air China operates a mixed narrowbody and widebody fleet across domestic and long-haul networks.
- Check current advisories for your specific route before departure, as schedules and gate assignments can change closer to travel dates.
- Keep booking confirmations and travel insurance details accessible, standard practice for any long-haul itinerary.
You can browse current fares on the Air China page on Wego or compare flights to Beijing from your city before booking.
FAQ
Has Air China had a fatal accident recently?
No. Its last fatal accident was flight CA129 in April 2002. No fatal accident has occurred since, a span of more than 24 years.
What happened on the Air China flight in 2018?
A co-pilot vaping in the cockpit on flight CA106 accidentally cut cabin pressurization, prompting an emergency descent. The plane landed safely with no injuries, and the CAAC fired both pilots.
Is Air China on the EU or US banned-airline lists?
No. No Chinese carrier appears on the EU Air Safety List, and China’s regulator holds a Category 1 rating from the FAA, the top tier under the US oversight assessment.
Is Air China part of an airline alliance?
Yes. Air China joined Star Alliance on 12 December 2007 and is also IOSA-registered under IATA’s operational safety audit.
Sources
- Wikipedia (citing KAIB report AAR F0201): Air China Flight 129 crash details, 15 April 2002
- CNN: CAAC investigation into the 10 July 2018 Air China CA106 vaping incident
- South China Morning Post: CAAC disciplinary action against the CA106 pilots
- FAA: International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program and China’s Category 1 rating
- European Commission: EU Air Safety List, current banned-carrier list
- ICAO: USOAP Continuous Monitoring Approach safety audit results
- Star Alliance: Air China’s accession as a member carrier, December 2007
- AirlineRatings.com: Air China safety rating and IOSA status
- Flightradar24: Air China fleet composition, February 2026
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
