China Southern Airlines vs Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir)
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Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir) are both Chinese full-service carriers, and they are linked: China Southern owns 51% of XiamenAir. Travellers compare them on domestic routes between southern and eastern China and on long-haul flights, where XiamenAir flies to Europe, Australia and North America and China Southern links Europe and Australia via Guangzhou.
Quick verdict
China Southern is the bigger carrier, with a much larger network built around Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen, and it suits travellers who want the most routes, Premium Economy or long-haul connections via Guangzhou. XiamenAir is smaller, flies from Xiamen and Fuzhou, and is the one to choose if you want SkyTeam benefits, a generous 2 x 23 kg Economy allowance on international routes and Plaza Premium lounge access. For a simple domestic or regional trip, the better choice is usually whichever has the better timing and fare.
Choose China Southern Airlines if…
- You want the larger network, with 233 destinations and hubs at Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen.
- You want a Premium Economy option as well as Business and Economy on long-haul flights.
- You are connecting between Europe and Australia via Guangzhou on the Canton Route.
Choose Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir) if…
- You hold SkyTeam elite status or want its extra baggage allowance, as XiamenAir is a SkyTeam member.
- You are flying to or from Xiamen or Fuzhou, its main hubs.
- You want a generous checked allowance on international flights: 2 x 23 kg in Economy and 2 x 32 kg in Business, depending on fare brand.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
China Southern is one of China's Big Three carriers, with main hubs at Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen and 233 destinations. It promotes a Canton Route linking Europe and Australia through Guangzhou. XiamenAir is centred on Xiamen and Fuzhou, with Beijing–Daxing and Hangzhou as secondary hubs. SkyTeam gives it about 101 destinations in 18 countries. For city pairs outside Fujian, China Southern usually offers more choice.
Cabins and seats
China Southern sells Business, Premium Economy and Economy, and has previously offered First Class on some long-haul aircraft. Business seats on long-haul aircraft are lie-flat, though products vary by aircraft. XiamenAir offers Business and Economy, with Economy sold as Light, Standard, Comfort and Flex fares, and a First Class cabin on some domestic aircraft. Premium Economy is only on the China Southern side. Check the aircraft type before booking either airline.
Fleet and long-haul flying
China Southern operates 708 aircraft in its mainline fleet (December 2025), including Airbus A350-900s. XiamenAir has 172 aircraft according to SkyTeam, mostly Boeing narrow-bodies, with long-haul flights flown by Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft to Europe, Australia and North America.
Baggage and lounges
XiamenAir allows one cabin bag up to 5 kg (55x25x35 cm). On international routes, checked allowance is 2 x 23 kg in Economy and 2 x 32 kg in Business, varying by fare brand. Domestic Economy is 20 kg. Business passengers and Egret Gold and Silver cardholders can use Plaza Premium lounges. China Southern's allowances depend on route and fare, so check the booking page for your flight.
Loyalty and alliances
XiamenAir is a SkyTeam member, and its Egret Miles programme gives SkyTeam elite members extra baggage allowance. China Southern was in SkyTeam from 2007 but is no longer a member of any alliance. Its Sky Pearl Club lets members earn miles on China Southern and on codeshare partners such as Sichuan Airlines. Frequent flyers who rely on alliance benefits outside China should therefore look at XiamenAir.
Frequently asked questions
Is China Southern better than XiamenAir?
China Southern has the larger network and fleet, and offers Premium Economy. XiamenAir is smaller but is in SkyTeam and has a generous international baggage allowance. The better choice depends on your route and status.
Are China Southern and XiamenAir the same company?
They are separate airlines, but China Southern Airlines owns 51% of XiamenAir. Each has its own brand, fares and loyalty programme (Sky Pearl Club and Egret Miles).
Does XiamenAir include checked baggage?
On international routes, Economy allows 2 x 23 kg and Business 2 x 32 kg, depending on fare brand. Domestic Economy is 20 kg, so check your fare.
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 Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir) Read more
Overview
Xiamen Airlines, branded XiamenAir, is a Chinese airline based in Xiamen, Fujian. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 25 July 1984 and was the first airline in China to operate independently as an enterprise. China Southern Airlines owns 51%. XiamenAir is a member of SkyTeam. Its subsidiaries include Hebei Airlines and Jiangxi Airlines.
Network and hubs
The main hubs are Xiamen and Fuzhou, with Beijing–Daxing and Hangzhou as secondary hubs. Focus cities include Changsha, Chongqing, Quanzhou, Shanghai–Hongqiao, Tianjin and Yinchuan. SkyTeam lists about 101 destinations in 18 countries and roughly 590 daily departures. The network covers China, Southeast and Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. Routes Online reports a planned first Africa route, Xiamen–Addis Ababa, using a Boeing 787-8.
Fleet
Wikipedia and SkyTeam give a fleet of 172 aircraft, with an average age of about six years per SkyTeam. Routes Online quotes a larger figure of 220 aircraft, which appears to use a different basis. Long-haul flying uses Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft (10 in total, according to Routes Online). The rest of the fleet is Boeing narrow-body aircraft, including the 737 MAX per Wikidata. Check the airline for current counts.
On board
Business and Economy cabins are offered. Economy fares are sold in several brands: Light, Standard, Comfort and Flex. Some domestic flights have a First Class cabin. Seat pitch, meal and entertainment details were not confirmed from the sources reviewed and vary by aircraft and route.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: one bag up to 5 kg and 55x25x35 cm, according to XiamenAir. First Class passengers may carry two items on domestic flights.
- Checked baggage: on the same page, Business allows 2 x 32 kg and Economy 2 x 23 kg on the routes listed. Domestic allowances are lower (20 kg in Economy) and international allowances depend on the fare brand.
- Excess baggage: the baggage page lists fees for extra pieces, for example CNY 1,400 for a first additional 23 kg piece on the route group shown.
- Lounges: Plaza Premium lounge access applies to Business Class passengers and to Egret Gold and Silver cardholders.
- Loyalty: the programme is Egret Miles, and SkyTeam elite status gives extra baggage allowance.
Sources (3)
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