The airline was initially restricted to domestic flights, but has operated international services since 1997.

On November 1, 2010, the airline officially left the Star Alliance and announced its intention to join its parent company in SkyTeam.

The airline serves over 140 domestic and international destinations, giving access to more than 60 large and medium-sized cities in mainland China and abroad.

Its international flights focus on Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

[11] In June 2019, Shanghai Airlines opened direct flights to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport.

[22] Shanghai Airlines' frequent-flyer program is called Eastern Miles (东方万里行; 東方萬里行).

Eastern Miles became the official frequent-flyer program of Shanghai Airlines on June 8, 2011.