Iatrogenic tracheal injury is a life‑threatening problem in spite of the low incidence. Tracheal reconstruction is essential when the trauma is serious. At present, functional tracheal reconstruction needs to be tackled urgently in clinical practice. This review summarizes the current research and clinical status of the tissue‑engineered trachea based on the constituent elements of tracheal transplantation. First, the types of scaffolds and their advantages and disadvantages are summarized in the view of mechanical support. Second, the diversity of biomaterials and seeding cells used in research are emphatically expounded from the perspective of the physiological function of the trachea. Meanwhile, the hotspots of the current research, such as the application of various bioactive molecules are introduced in the paper. The clinical status of tracheal transplantation shows that multi‑dimensional integration of various elements is required in the construction of tissue‑engineered trachea, so as to maximize the simulation of the anatomical structure and physiological function of the trachea to achieve mechanical support, rapid vascularization, and epithelial regeneration of the airway. In this way, practical clinical value and application prospects can be generated.