Based on the technical status and development trend of civil aircraft operation reliability research, the requirements of civil aircraft operation reliability research were expounded according to the current type design, development and actual situation of in-service aircraft. By reviewing the research progress and engineering application status of civil aircraft operational reliability theory, the research status and problems of civil aircraft operational reliability are elaborated from six aspects:operation data acquisition and processing, operational reliability analysis method, operational reliability prediction feedback technology, optimization design based on operational reliability, optimize maintenance tasks, and comprehensive management platform for operational reliability. The future development direction of operation reliability research of civil aircraft is prospected.