With the significant advantages in forming complex structures and integrated designs shortening production cycles and improvement of material utilization, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become an important technology in realizing the rapid design cycles, the verification of civil aircraft structures, the weight reduction, the cost reduction and efficiency improvement, the agile aerospace material support, and the applications for maintenance repair operating. Based on the history of additive manufacturing technology, the advantages and state-of-the-art developments of AM in the field of civil aircraft are detailed analysed. Key challenges in material, process, quality control, airworthiness requirements, and economics are elaborated in depth. The improvement in AM material supply chain, process equipment and software systems, the support of industrial policy and the gradual improvement of the industrial supply chain are also examined. Finally, based on the future development needs of civil aircrafts, a forecast of future development trends of the AM application for civil aircrafts are discussed.