Abstract In aero-engine combustor, the primary and secondary dilution air jets play a vital role to achieve efficient combustion and provide a satisfactory temperature profile at the combustor exit. In the current research, seven kinds of three-dome combustor sector associated with different dilution holes arrangements are simulated using Flamelet model. The influences of location, number and diameter of dilution air holes on flow field and performance of combustor are analysed in detail. The results demonstrate that the variation of airflow distribution, while keeping the total admission area constant, impact the combustion efficiency and pattern profile considerably, yet has insignificant effect on the total pressure coefficient. The maximum combustion efficiency and minimum pattern factor can be achieved simultaneously with deliberate dilution jet holes arrangement.