China Southern is one of the largest airlines in China and among the biggest carriers in the world by passenger volume.
The airline left the SkyTeam alliance to chart an independent path, though it retained partnerships with former alliance members like Delta, Air France and KLM. American Airlines also took an investment in the carrier, opening up codeshare opportunities with Oneworld members.
So what does that mean for you? It means you can often find some great deals, but it pays to do a little homework to make your trip as smooth as possible. Think of me as your cheat sheet. Here’s the expert advice and my personal recommendations for flying with China Southern.
A major route network for China and beyond
China Southern operates a vast domestic network connecting all corners of the country, despite what the word “Southern” in its name might suggest. The airline is based in Guangzhou, but maintains a dual-hub strategy centred on Guangzhou and Beijing (Daxing), with Shanghai functioning as a cargo hub.
The airline also operates major regional bases in cities like Shenzhen, Urumqi and Chongqing. These hubs and bases funnel passengers onto domestic flights and international connections across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
Internationally, these hubs connect travelers to destinations across North America, Europe and Asia. Where it really shines, though, is its service to Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to its Guangzhou hub, it holds a 28% capacity share of the China-Australia market, making it the second-largest Chinese carrier serving Oceania (behind China Eastern), while operating an extensive network to six Australian gateways, making it a go-to for trips down under.
Aircraft classes of service
The airline offers four classes of service: first, business, premium economy (Pearl Economy), and economy. The onboard service is generally friendly and well-intentioned, but English fluency can be a mixed bag, especially on domestic routes. A little patience goes a long way.
First Class
First class appears on select aircraft: one row on some A330s and Dreamliners, or up to 28 seats on many Boeing 777s (though I find that’s quite a lot for truly bespoke service).
The dining experience stands out because the airline skips trays entirely, laying large linens on the table and serving meals as if you’re in a formal restaurant. I flew first class once and appreciated the thoughtful touches, like crew members helping stow luggage and even removing plastic from blankets before offering them.
Business Class
Business class appears on all China Southern planes, but seat quality varies significantly by aircraft. Widebody planes typically offer lie-flat seats, but configurations vary by aircraft type - some 777s may have less desirable layouts with middle seats.
On Boeing 787s, the staggered setup means some seats sit closer to the aisle while others hug the window. I recommend the window-side option so you’re not disturbed by passing traffic, though these seats can feel narrow in the shoulder area.
Also, some aircraft offer free Wi-Fi (with the option to pay for more time or speed). Just take note that the signal does not always work well.
The service includes multi-course meals, and I love the Asian-style noodle soups they offer as a snack between meals. A word of warning: the selection of Western films and TV shows can be pretty thin, so I recommend loading up your own devices just in case.
Premium economy class
If you don’t want to splurge for business, premium economy is a great middle ground. You get a seat with more legroom and recline than economy, plus a better meal and a small amenity kit.
Pro tip: ask about paid upgrades at the check-in counter or gate. You can sometimes score a spot for a decent price.
Economy class
Let’s be honest, there’s nothing too exciting about economy here. Widebody configurations vary - the Airbus A330 uses a 2-4-2 layout, Boeing 787s have a standard 3-3-3 configuration, while the Boeing 777-300ER features a 3-4-3 layout. You’ll get a hot meal on almost all flights, and free beer and wine are a plus.
For a little extra comfort, I’d suggest booking a bulkhead or emergency exit row seat for more legroom.
Loyalty programme and partnerships
You can earn and redeem miles on China Southern flights through partner airlines like Delta, Air France, KLM and Middle East Airlines, even though the carrier left the SkyTeam alliance. Depending on the partner, your China Southern flights may also count toward elite status qualification.
When China Southern operates the flight, you’ll generally earn elite-status credit with airlines such as American Airlines and British Airways only when you book under the partner’s codeshare flight number. While the airline runs its own Sky Pearl Club programme, I almost always credit my flights to a partner airline where I can get better value when redeeming miles later.
Eligible elite members from partner airlines and premium cabin passengers can access China Southern’s lounges, which are among the better options in China. They typically have hot and cold buffets, an open bar and showers.
Airline fleet
As the largest airline in Asia by fleet size, China Southern flies a mix of modern aircraft. You’ll find everything from Airbus A320s to Boeing 737s, 777s, and 787 Dreamliners - with over 210 Boeing 737 series aircraft in the mainline fleet alone. The airline no longer operates its double-decker A380s, which is a bummer for aviation geeks like me.
As a Chinese carrier, it also flies domestically produced planes like the COMAC ARJ21 and C919, though you’re most likely to encounter these on domestic routes within China.
Some interesting titbits
Chinese carriers pay significant attention to passenger behaviour, and you may notice some China Southern flight attendants wearing body cameras to record any disruptions.
Expect video demonstrations and reminders about avoiding confrontation, speaking quietly, wearing headphones for entertainment and limiting alcohol consumption. The seat belt sign sometimes stays on for the entire flight, which I find frustrating since it makes it hard to know when it’s actually safe to use the lavatory.
In premium cabins, the airline does not always provide printed menus. Since the crew sometimes struggles with English, it can be hard to know what ingredients are in certain dishes, a concern for people with dietary requirements. I recommend pre-ordering a special meal.
Still, China Southern has improved its onboard experience a lot over the years. I often find myself booking with them because their fares, especially in business class, can be significantly lower than other major airlines. It may not be perfect, but it’s definitely worth a look when you’re planning a trip.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up to date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
