China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines is a major full-service carrier based in the People's Republic of China, operating an extensive domestic network and international services from Guangzhou and other large Chinese gateways.
About China Southern Airlines
Founded in 1988, China Southern Airlines is one of the largest scheduled passenger carriers in the People's Republic of China. It is headquartered in Guangzhou and operates under the state-owned China Southern Air Holding group. Its blue-and-red kapok-flower tail emblem is a familiar feature at airports throughout China, reflecting the airline's strong position in the country's domestic market.
Guangzhou is China Southern's primary hub, supported by major operations in Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi and Xian. The network spans 185 destinations across 38 countries and comprises 1,456 routes. Domestic services link major commercial and regional centres such as Shenzhen, Wuhan, Kunming, Changsha, Dalian and Chongqing, while international flights connect China with cities elsewhere in Asia and selected destinations in Europe, North America and Oceania.
Aircraft types associated with China Southern's operations include the Airbus A319, A320, A321 and A330 families, alongside Boeing 737 variants. Records also include earlier wide-body types such as the Airbus A300-600, A310 and A380. Cabin layouts vary by aircraft and route, with economy class throughout the network and premium economy, business class or first class offered on selected services, particularly longer international flights.
China Southern was formerly a member of SkyTeam but left the alliance at the beginning of 2019 and does not currently belong to any of the three major global airline alliances. Its own loyalty programme is Sky Pearl Club, through which members can earn and redeem mileage subject to programme rules. Travellers should check current partner-airline arrangements because reciprocal benefits can differ from those available through a formal alliance.
The airline's principal strength is the breadth of its Chinese network, which gives travellers many options for reaching large cities and regional centres through Guangzhou and its other hubs. The corresponding challenge is that transfer experiences, cabin products and English-language service can vary by airport, aircraft and route. Allowing adequate connection time and confirming transit, baggage and entry requirements before departure is advisable, especially on itineraries involving separate terminals or international-to-domestic transfers.
Good to know
Flying with China Southern Airlines — what to expect
Check Your Fare
Baggage allowance, ticket changes and refunds depend on the fare family, cabin and route. Review the conditions attached to your specific ticket before paying.
Cabins Vary
Seat design and onboard amenities can differ considerably between narrow-body domestic aircraft and long-haul wide-bodies. Check the scheduled aircraft and cabin map when selecting a seat.
Plan Hub Transfers
Guangzhou is the main connecting hub, while Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi and Xian also handle substantial operations. Leave sufficient time for security, immigration or terminal changes on connecting journeys.
Carry-On Rules
Cabin-baggage limits vary by travel class and itinerary, and enforcement may include both size and weight checks. Confirm the allowance shown on your booking before arriving at the airport.
Alliance Status
China Southern is not currently a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Verify lounge access, mileage earning and through-checking directly when an itinerary includes another airline.
Sky Pearl Credit
Sky Pearl Club members should add their membership number before travel and retain boarding passes until mileage posts. Partner eligibility and earning rates depend on the operating carrier and booking class.
Network overview
Where China Southern Airlines flies
China Southern Airlines operates 1,456 routes to 185 destinations across 38 countries, its longest sector reaching Guangzhou to Los Angeles (11,619 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities China Southern Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Guangzhou → Los Angeles
11,619 km · CAN → LAX
The longest sector in the China Southern Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by China Southern Airlines
Tracked China Southern Airlines routes touch China, Taiwan, Hong Kong.
XIY - HGHXian → Hangzhou1h 52m1,191 kmURC - XIYUrumqi → Xian2h 55m2,106 kmPVG - TPEShanghai → Taipei1h 17m677 kmTPE - PVGTaipei → Shanghai1h 17m677 kmHGH - SZXHangzhou → Shenzhen1h 44m1,071 kmHGH - XIYHangzhou → Xian1h 52m1,191 kmHKG - PEKHong Kong → Beijing2h 47m1,991 kmINC - XIYYinchuan → Xian1h 3m485 kmPEK - HKGBeijing → Hong Kong2h 47m1,991 kmXIY - INCXian → Yinchuan1h 3m485 kmCAN - CKGGuangzhou → Chongqing1h 37m967 kmCKG - SZXChongqing → Shenzhen1h 43m1,064 kmCKG - CANChongqing → Guangzhou1h 37m967 kmKHG - URCKashi → Urumqi1h 44m1,068 kmSZX - CKGShenzhen → Chongqing1h 43m1,064 kmMore from People's Republic of China
Other airlines based in People's Republic of China
FAQ
China Southern Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- China Southern Airlines serves 185 destinations across 38 countries, operating 1,456 routes.
- Carry-on limits depend on cabin, route and ticket conditions, with both size and weight restrictions potentially applying. Check the allowance displayed on your booking or China Southern Airlines's official website before departure.
- China Southern Airlines serves an extensive domestic Chinese network and international destinations across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Important Chinese cities include Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi, Xian, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Chongqing.
- China Southern Airlines's longest route is Guangzhou to Los Angeles, covering about 11,619 km nonstop.
- China Southern Airlines's primary hub is Guangzhou. It also operates large route networks from Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi and Xian.
- The busiest departure hubs are Guangzhou, followed by Beijing, Shanghai, Urumqi and Xian. These cities provide many of the airline's domestic and international connections.
- Fares are often lower when booked outside major Chinese public holidays and peak summer travel periods. Comparing flexible dates and nearby departure times can reveal cheaper options, but prices vary with demand and route.