Additive manufacturing is an effective way to solve the manufacturing problems of aeronautical complex structural parts. Firstly, the principle and characteristics of additive manufacturing technology and its application in aeronautical field are introduced. Furthermore, the challenges faced by additive manufacturing technology in terms of material mechanical properties and surface quality are discussed deeply. Moreover, it is pointed out that additive and subtractive hybrid manufacturing and advanced finishing technology are effective approaches to the improvement in surface quality and accuracy of aeronautical complex structural parts. The advantages of abrasive flow machining with high processing accessibility in the precision polishing of aeronautical complex structural parts are highlighted, and important researches of maintaining the precision of parts while improving the surface quality are recommended.