China Southern Airlines, established in 1988, is one of the largest airlines in China and Asia. Headquartered in Guangzhou, it operates an extensive domestic and international network, serving over 200 destinations across 40 countries. It is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and is known for its modern fleet, comprising mainly Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
Services
- In-flight Entertainment : Personal screens in all cabins offer movies, TV shows, music, and games, ensuring passengers are entertained throughout their journey.
- Sky Pearl Club : Frequent flyer program offering benefits like priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and access to VIP lounges.
- Business Class : Luxurious seating that converts into flat beds, gourmet meals, and premium amenity kits for a comfortable and relaxing flight.
- Economy Class : Comfortable seating with decent legroom, complimentary meals, and beverages, along with personal in-flight entertainment screens.
- Lounges : Access to premium lounges with comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, dining options, and shower facilities for first and business class passengers.
- SkyPriority : Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling services for SkyTeam Elite Plus, first, and business class passengers.
Expriences
- Jackie Chan : The action star praised China Southern's punctuality and excellent service during his promotional tours in China.
- Lang Lang : The famous pianist appreciated the comfort of the airline's business class on his international tours.
- Fan Bingbing : The renowned actress highlighted the attentive service and comfortable seating on her social media.
Interesting Facts
- Fleet Size : China Southern Airlines has the largest fleet in Asia, with over 600 aircraft.
- Passengers : It carried over 150 million passengers in 2019, making it one of the busiest airlines in the world.
- Safety Record : Known for its impressive safety record, the airline has consistently received high safety ratings.
- Canton Route : Promotes the “Canton Route” to connect passengers from Australia and New Zealand to Europe via Guangzhou.
- Innovative Technology : Pioneered the use of facial recognition technology for boarding at select airports.
Frequent Flyers
- Xi Jinping : As the President of China, he frequently uses China Southern for domestic and international travels.
- Li Keqiang : The Premier of China also often travels with China Southern Airlines.
- Jack Ma : The founder of Alibaba Group is known to use China Southern for his business travels.
- Ma Huateng : The CEO of Tencent, often chooses China Southern for both domestic and international flights.
- Ren Zhengfei : The founder of Huawei, travels frequently with China Southern, appreciating their extensive network.
Myths
- Only Domestic : A common myth is that China Southern Airlines only operates domestic flights, but it actually flies to over 40 countries worldwide.
- Poor Service : Despite some negative reviews, many passengers have positive experiences with the airline’s service and amenities.
- No English Speaking Staff : It is believed that the airline lacks English-speaking staff, but many crew members are proficient in English.
Offbeat Destinations
- Guilin : Famous for its stunning karst mountains and rivers.
- Lijiang : Known for its preserved ancient town and Naxi culture.
- Zhangjiajie : Home to the Avatar mountains and the glass bridge.
- Harbin : Renowned for its ice and snow festival.
- Xiamen : A coastal city known for its Gulangyu Island.
- Kunming : Known as the "Spring City" for its pleasant climate.
- Sanya : Popular for its beautiful beaches and tropical climate.
- Guiyang : Famous for its ethnic minority cultures and natural scenery.
- Nanning : Known for its green landscape and cultural diversity.
- Dalian : A major port city with beaches and a rich history.
Useful Resources
Awards
- Skytrax World Airline Awards : Received the "Best Airline in China" and "Best Staff Service in China" awards.
- Global Traveler Magazine : Awarded "Best Airline in China" multiple times.
- AirlineRatings.com : Named one of the top 10 safest airlines in the world.