[4][5] Air China was given chief responsibility for intercontinental flights and took over CAAC's long haul aircraft (Boeing 707s, 747s and 767s) and routes.

[8] On 15 December 2004, Air China was successfully listed on the Hong Kong and London Stock Exchanges.

[9] One month later, Air China spent HK$6.3 billion (US$813 million) to raise its stake in Cathay Pacific from 17.5% to 30%, expanding its presence in Hong Kong.

[10] In April 2010, Air China completed the increase of shareholdings in Shenzhen Airlines and became the controlling shareholder of Shenzhen Airlines, allowing Air China to further enhance its position in Beijing, Chengdu, and Shanghai, as well as achieve a more balanced domestic network.

[11] On 2 December 2010, Air China received Spain's highest tourism industry award, the "Plaque for Tourist Merit."

Air China was the first foreign airline to receive the award, which is given to organisations and individuals contributing to the Spanish tourism industry.

[12] On 23 December 2010, Air China became the first Chinese airline to offer combined tickets that include domestic flights and shuttle bus services to nearby cities.

[16] On 3 July 2013, in time for the company's 25th anniversary, Air China successfully tested Wireless LAN in flight.

[17] In early 2015, it was announced that the airline had selected the Boeing 737 Next Generation and 737 MAX for its fleet renewal programme of 60 aircraft.

[18] The entity Air China Limited was registered in 2003, and its shares began trading in Hong Kong and London on 15 December 2004.

[19] The Air China HQ Building (国航总部大楼; 國航總部大樓; Guó Háng Zǒngbù Dàlóu), the corporate headquarters, is located in Zone A of the Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone (天竺空港工业区; 天竺空港工業區; Tiānzhú Kōng Gǎng Gōngyèqū) in Shunyi District, Beijing.

[22] Air China is primarily based in its hub of Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA: PEK), where it operates numerous long-range aircraft on routes to North America, Europe, South America, Africa and Australia.

On 10 December 2006, Air China began serving its first South American destination, São Paulo-Guarulhos (via Madrid-Barajas).

[citation needed] Air China introduced its new Airbus A330-300 to long-haul operations beginning with services to Düsseldorf, Germany in summer 2011.

Deliveries of the carrier's 19 new Boeing 777-300ERs commenced in mid 2011, with the aircraft forming the new "backbone of its future long-haul operations."

[33] Beginning 10 June 2014, Air China introduced new nonstop service from Beijing to Washington-Dulles, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.

[55] On Air China's narrow-body fleet, business class seats are recliners arranged in an 2-2 configuration.

Business class on these aircraft features Collins Parallel Diamond seats, which can convert into a 6'-4" lie-flat bed.

Each seat features a 18 inch HD touch screen display and Universal AC and USB-A sockets.

[62] On the Boeing 747s, Business Class is located in the nose of the aircraft and the Upper Deck, with a painted collage of the Summer Palace, which symbolizes good luck in China.

On the Boeing 747-8, Business class features Collins Parallel Diamond seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration, which can convert to a 6'-4" lie-flat bed.

It was designed to reward frequent flyers traveling internationally and domestically with Air China and its partner airlines.

[63] On 15 March 2003, Air China Flight 112, operated by a Boeing 737-36N carried a 72 year old man infected with SARS.

[citation needed] Air China's inflight magazine Wings of China faced accusations of racism when they stated "London is generally a safe place to travel, however precautions are needed when entering areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis, and black people."

[74] This strategy has bolstered its dominance in the China-Europe market but has drawn criticism for indirectly supporting Russia's economy during its military aggression in Ukraine.