China Southern Airlines and Air China are two of China's "Big Three" full-service carriers. China Southern is based in Guangzhou and Air China in Beijing. Travellers compare them on routes between China and Europe, Australia and North America, and on domestic trunk routes such as Beijing to Guangzhou.
Quick verdict
Which is better: China Southern Airlines or Air China?
Both are full-service airlines, so the choice mostly comes down to network and alliance. Air China suits travellers who want Star Alliance connections and miles, or who are flying via Beijing or Chengdu. China Southern suits those connecting through Guangzhou, especially on its Europe–Australia "Canton Route", and who don't need alliance benefits. Check the cabin and baggage rules for your specific flight, as both vary by aircraft and fare.
Choose China Southern Airlines if…
- You are connecting through Guangzhou, Shenzhen or Beijing Daxing, or flying Europe–Australia on the Canton Route.
- You want a Premium Economy cabin option on some long-haul flights, alongside Business and Economy.
- You don't need alliance status: it is no longer in SkyTeam or any other alliance, and earns miles through Sky Pearl Club and codeshare partners such as Sichuan Airlines.
Choose Air China if…
- You collect or use Star Alliance status, since PhoenixMiles is linked to the alliance.
- You are routing via Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing or Chengdu, Air China's main hubs.
- You want a flag carrier with a large fleet, plus Air Macau and Shenzhen Airlines in the same group, and Cathay Pacific as a shareholder.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
China Southern has main hubs at Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen, with secondary hubs including Chongqing, Shanghai–Pudong, Ürümqi, Wuhan and Zhengzhou. It lists 233 destinations and promotes the Canton Route linking Europe and Australia via Guangzhou. Air China hubs at Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Shuangliu and Chengdu Tianfu, with Shanghai Pudong secondary, and serves 218 destinations. South China and the Pearl River Delta favour China Southern; Beijing and Sichuan favour Air China.
Alliances and loyalty
Air China is a Star Alliance member and its PhoenixMiles programme is linked to it, giving access to partner airlines' lounges and award flights worldwide. China Southern was in SkyTeam from 2007 but is no longer listed in any alliance. Its Sky Pearl Club earns miles on its own flights and on codeshare partners, including Sichuan Airlines. For frequent international travellers with existing status, this is often the deciding factor.
China Southern Airlines vs Air China: Cabins and seats
China Southern sells Business, Premium Economy and Economy. It has also offered First Class on some long-haul aircraft. Long-haul Business seats are lie-flat with privacy dividers, and some types have personal screens in Economy. Air China's layouts, seat pitch and entertainment also vary by aircraft type and route. In July 2026 its board approved 15 more A350-900 aircraft. Check the aircraft type before booking either airline.
Baggage and fares
Air China's Economy cabin limit is one 5 kg piece (55x40x20 cm), according to MyBaggage. Checked allowance depends on route and fare: typically 20 kg on domestic flights and two bags on most US–China fares, but only one on some basic fares. China Southern allowances also depend on route and fare. For both airlines, confirm the allowance on your booking, especially on cheaper fares and connecting itineraries.
Fleet and group size
China Southern operates 708 aircraft on its own (December 2025), or 972 including cargo aircraft and subsidiaries such as XiamenAir and Chongqing Airlines. Air China's own active fleet was 533 aircraft in February 2026, making it the third-largest Chinese airline by fleet. Its wider group, including Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Air Macau, operated 972 aircraft by mid-2026. China Southern is the larger of the two on mainline numbers, which helps on domestic frequencies.
Frequently asked questions
Is China Southern better than Air China?
Neither is better overall. Air China offers Star Alliance membership and Beijing and Chengdu hubs, while China Southern offers Guangzhou and Shenzhen hubs, a larger mainline fleet and a Premium Economy cabin on some aircraft.
Is Air China in an alliance?
Yes, Air China is a Star Alliance member. China Southern was in SkyTeam from 2007 but is no longer listed in any alliance.
Does Air China include checked baggage?
It depends on route and fare. Economy is typically 20 kg on domestic flights and two bags on most US–China fares, but one on some basic fares, so check your booking.
About China Southern Airlines Read more
Overview
China Southern Airlines is one of China's "Big Three" carriers. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 1 July 1988 and began operating as China Southern Airlines on 1 February 1991. It is headquartered in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, and is a subsidiary of China Southern Air Holding. Its shares trade in Shanghai (600029) and Hong Kong (1055). The airline was a SkyTeam member from 2007 and is no longer listed as a member of any alliance.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen. Secondary hubs include Chongqing, Shanghai–Pudong, Ürümqi, Wuhan and Zhengzhou. Wikipedia lists 233 destinations. The carrier has promoted a "Canton Route" linking Europe and Australia through Guangzhou, started with services from Guangzhou to London Heathrow.
Fleet
Wikipedia gives a December 2025 fleet of 708 aircraft for China Southern Airlines alone. The figure is 972 when cargo aircraft and subsidiaries are included. Subsidiaries and affiliates include Chongqing Airlines (60%), XiamenAir (55%), Xiongan Airlines and a 39% stake in Sichuan Airlines. The fleet includes Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Travellers should check the airline's website for the current breakdown by type.
On board
The airline sells Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins, and has previously offered a First Class on some long-haul aircraft. Wikipedia describes lie-flat Business seats with privacy dividers on long-haul aircraft, and personal screens in Economy on some types. Cabin products vary by aircraft, so check the specific flight. Meal and Wi-Fi details were not confirmed in the sources used.
Good to know
- Loyalty: the programme is Sky Pearl Club. Members can earn miles on China Southern flights and on codeshare partners, including Sichuan Airlines.
- Baggage and fees: allowances depend on route and fare. Check the booking page before travelling, as no figures were verified here.
- Punctuality: no published on-time figure was found.
Source: China Southern Airlines, Wikipedia, accessed 11 October 2026.
About Air China Read more
Overview
Air China is China's flag carrier, founded on 1 July 1988 and headquartered in the Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone, Shunyi District, Beijing. It is listed in Shanghai, Hong Kong and London. Its parent, Air China Group, holds 53.46%, and Cathay Pacific holds 18.13%. The airline is a member of Star Alliance. Its frequent-flyer programme is PhoenixMiles.
Network and hubs
According to Wikipedia, the main hubs are Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Shuangliu and Chengdu Tianfu, with Shanghai Pudong as a secondary hub. Focus cities include Chongqing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Hohhot, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Wuhan. The airline serves 218 destinations in total (Wikipedia, 2026). The group also includes Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Air Macau and Dalian Airlines, and Air China holds 29.9% of Cathay Pacific.
Fleet
Flightradar24 reported an active Air China fleet of 533 aircraft in February 2026, a mix of narrowbodies, widebodies and regional jets. This makes it the third-largest Chinese airline by fleet. The wider Air China group operated 972 aircraft at mid-2026 (Airbus 452, Boeing 471, COMAC 46, business jets 3), according to the 2026 interim results presentation. It added 17 narrowbodies in the first half of 2026. In July 2026 the board approved the introduction of 15 more A350-900 aircraft (2026 Interim Report).
On board
Air China began offering free on-board Wi-Fi on 15 November 2011, the first Chinese carrier to do so, according to Wikipedia. Cabin layouts, seat pitch and entertainment differ by aircraft type and route. Check the airline's website for the aircraft on a specific flight, as no verified figures were available for this profile.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: MyBaggage gives the Economy limit as one piece of up to 5 kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Business and First Class passengers may carry up to two pieces of up to 8 kg, according to Stasher.
- Checked baggage: It depends on the route and fare. Third-party guides report 20 kg in Economy on domestic flights. They report two free bags on most international Economy fares such as US–China, but only one on some basic fares. Confirm the allowance on the booking.
- Loyalty: PhoenixMiles is linked to Star Alliance.
- Lounge access, change fees and punctuality figures were not confirmed in the sources used.
Sources (4)
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