Chinese carrier Shenzhen Airlines is one of two Star Alliance members based in the world's most populous country. Founded just under three decades ago, the number of aircraft in its fleet has now exceeded 200. But which designs make up this figure? Let's take a look.
Airbus narrowbodies
According to data from ch-aviation.com, there are currently 201 aircraft present in Shenzhen Airlines' fleet. All of these are twinjets, with European manufacturer Airbus accounting for over half of them. Its most numerous design is the A320-200. There are 76 examples of this model in Shenzen Airlines' fleet, and they have an average age of 10.8 years old.
In recent years, Shenzhen Airlines has also begun taking deliveries of the next-generation Airbus A320neo model. The carrier presently has 25 of these at its disposal, of which 21 are active. A further two examples are yet to be delivered. Shenzhen Airlines' Airbus A320neos have an average age of just 1.7 years old, and have 152 seats across two classes.
Finally, at the less numerous end of the scale, Shenzhen Airlines' current fleet also features eight examples of the Airbus A319-100. Seven of these are active, and they have an average age of 8.6 years old. Each of them seats 120 economy ad eight business class passengers.
Boeing narrowbodies
Narrowbody aircraft from Airbus's US-based rival Boeing also have a significant presence at Shenzhen Airlines. Much like the A320, the most numerous Boeing design, namely the 737-800, also features 76 times in the carrier's fleet. Historically speaking, it has operated another 16 examples. Just one is presently inactive, and it (B-5690) is stored in Shenzhen.
The remainder of Shenzhen Airlines' Boeing narrowbodies are all listed by ch-aviation's data as being inactive. In the case of its five 737 MAX 8s, this is understandable, given that China is yet to recertify the type. However, it has begun to lay out a framework for such a procedure. Going forward, Shenzhen Airlines is set to receive a further10 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Shenzhen Airlines' remaining six inactive Boeing narrowbodies are examples of the manufacturer's stretched-fuselage 737-900. These are the carrier's oldest aircraft, clocking in at an average age of 16.5 years old. They have a two-class 167-seat configuration.
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A single widebody design
Widebody aircraft also play a small but important role at Shenzhen Airlines. The carrier has six of them at its disposal, with each being an example of the Airbus A330-300. All of these twin-aisle jets are presently active, and they have an average age of just 3.9 years old.
Shenzhen Airlines began receiving its A330-300s in September 2017. A year later, all six had arrived. Each of them seats 309 passengers in a three-class setup. This consists of 267 economy class seats, 24 with extra legroom, and 18 six-abreast business class flatbeds.
What do you make of Shenzhen Airlines' present fleet? How many of its aircraft have you flown on? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!