Thai Airways International vs China Southern Airlines
VS 
Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
Thai Airways International is Thailand's flag carrier, based at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and a Star Alliance founding member. China Southern Airlines is one of China's "Big Three", based mainly in Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen. Travellers compare them mostly for trips between China and Thailand, and for Europe or Australia journeys routed via Bangkok or Guangzhou.
Quick verdict
Both are full-service airlines, so the choice comes down to network, alliance and convenience. Thai suits travellers who want Star Alliance connections, a Bangkok hub and a fleet that is being refreshed, with a cabin overhaul planned for 2027. China Southern suits those starting in mainland China, who benefit from its much larger domestic network and the Guangzhou hub. It has no alliance membership, so check connections and miles earning before booking.
Choose Thai Airways International if…
- You want Star Alliance benefits and want to earn miles with Royal Orchid Plus or a Star partner.
- You are connecting through Bangkok to Europe, Asia or Oceania.
- You want a piece-based baggage allowance: 1 x 23 kg in Economy Saver/Standard on new tickets from March 2026.
Choose China Southern Airlines if…
- You are starting or ending your trip in mainland China, where its domestic network is far larger.
- You are connecting via Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing or Shenzhen, including its Canton Route to Europe and Australia.
- You collect Sky Pearl Club miles, which can also be earned on codeshare partners such as Sichuan Airlines.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Thai is built around a single hub, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. As of January 2026 it served 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries, focused on Europe, Asia and Oceania. A return to North America is under discussion.
China Southern runs several hubs: Guangzhou, Beijing–Daxing and Shenzhen, plus secondary hubs such as Chongqing, Shanghai–Pudong and Wuhan. Wikipedia lists 233 destinations. Its Canton Route links Europe and Australia via Guangzhou.
Fleet and size
China Southern is much larger: 708 aircraft in its mainline fleet at December 2025, or 972 including cargo aircraft and subsidiaries. It has Airbus A350-900s in the fleet.
Thai had 84 aircraft as of June 2026, with 89 on order, including A321neos and Boeing 787s. TTG Asia (25 September 2026) reports that the fleet is to be streamlined to four types. Long-haul flying will rely on the A350-900, 777-300ER and 787 family.
Cabins and seats
Thai sells Royal Silk (business), Premium Economy and Economy, depending on aircraft. Royal First appears on some baggage tables. A cabin overhaul is planned for 2027.
China Southern sells Business, Premium Economy and Economy, and has previously offered First on some long-haul aircraft. Long-haul Business seats are lie-flat with privacy dividers, and some aircraft have personal screens in Economy. Products vary by aircraft on both airlines, so check your flight's seat map.
Baggage
Thai allows one cabin bag of up to 7 kg on its official page. Tickets issued from 25 November 2025 for travel from 2 March 2026 use a piece-based checked allowance. Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg, Flexi 2 x 23 kg and Royal Silk 2 x 32 kg, according to HappyFares. Older tickets keep the weight-based allowance.
China Southern's allowance depends on route and fare, so check the booking page.
Loyalty and alliances
Thai is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its programme is Royal Orchid Plus, and it operates Royal Orchid and Royal Silk lounges.
China Southern was a SkyTeam member from 2007 but is no longer listed as a member of any alliance. Its Sky Pearl Club programme earns miles on its own flights and on codeshare partners such as Sichuan Airlines. For international connections, Thai's alliance gives more flexibility.
Punctuality
Cirium recorded 79.29% on-time arrivals for Thai in June 2025. Delays vary by airport and season, so check recent performance on your specific route.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thai Airways better than China Southern?
It depends on where you start. Thai offers Star Alliance connections and a Bangkok hub, while China Southern has a far larger China network. Both are full-service airlines.
Does Thai Airways include checked baggage?
On new tickets for travel from 2 March 2026, Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg, and Royal Silk includes 2 x 32 kg, according to HappyFares. Older tickets keep the weight-based allowance, so check your fare on thaiairways.com.
Is China Southern in an alliance?
No. It was a SkyTeam member from 2007 but is no longer listed in any alliance. Thai Airways is a founding member of Star Alliance.
About Thai Airways International Read more
Overview
Thai Airways International is the flag carrier of Thailand. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1960 as a joint venture with Scandinavian Airlines and began operating in its current form in 1988 after merging with Thai Airways Company. The Ministry of Finance holds 42.94% of the shares, and the airline is listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its headquarters are in Chatuchak, Bangkok. Thai is a founding member of Star Alliance. Its regional subsidiary Thai Smile was merged back into the mainline carrier from 2023.
Network and hubs
The main hub is Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. As of January 2026 the airline served 51 international and 9 domestic destinations in 29 countries, with a network focused on Europe, Asia and Oceania. A return to North America is under discussion, according to Aviation A2Z (July 2026).
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a fleet of 80 aircraft as of January 2026, with a large order book (see the fleet page). In July 2026 Aviation A2Z reported a Boeing 787 fleet of 45 aircraft, including those on order. TTG Asia (25 September 2026) reports that long-haul flying will rely on the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787 family as older wide-bodies retire. It also reports that the Airbus A321neo fleet will grow from nine to 15 by the end of 2026, with a target of 32. The fleet is to be streamlined to four types, with a cabin overhaul planned for 2027.
On board
- Cabins: Royal Silk (business), Premium Economy and Economy, depending on aircraft. Royal First is listed in some baggage tables.
- Meals: Thai and international dishes, which vary by route and month. Pre-selection is available up to 72 hours before departure.
- Seat pitch, entertainment and Wi-Fi: not confirmed in the sources reviewed, and these vary by aircraft. Check the airline before booking.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: Thai's official page allows one hand-carry bag of up to 7 kg.
- Checked baggage: third-party sources such as HappyFares report a piece-based allowance for tickets issued from 25 November 2025 for travel from 2 March 2026. Economy Saver and Standard include 1 x 23 kg, and Royal Silk includes 2 x 32 kg. Older tickets keep the weight-based allowance. Check the official site for your fare.
- Punctuality: Cirium reported 79.29% on-time arrivals for June 2025.
- Lounges: Royal Orchid and Royal Silk lounges. The loyalty programme is Royal Orchid Plus.
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.
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