Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) is a highly selective intracellular degradation pathway that plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, as well as in the onset and progression of disease. CMA significantly influences cellular homeostasis by regulating protein homeostasis, mediating stress responses, modulating the cell cycle, contributing to the regulation of ferroptosis, and sustaining mitochondrial function. Dysfunction of CMA is closely associated with the development of numerous diseases. In recent years, the role of CMA in pulmonary diseases has received increasing attention. This review summarizes the latest research on the role and mechanisms of CMA in lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute lung injury, with the aim of providing novel insights into the treatment of pulmonary disorders.