China Southern Airlines

✅ Verified Review | New York to Melbourne return via Guangzhou, four flights in total. Check-in lines and lines to board with this airline are insanely long. There's no rush, however, take your time boarding and remember to check in online in advance to secure the seats you want. The onboard food is decent (typical plane food), though I don't eat certain meats and make sure you request special meals in advance if you are a fussy eater or have certain dietary requirements. The inflight entertainment was much better than other reviews would suggest, including a wide variety of new Hollywood and Chinese films; several movie set marathons also, if you feel in the mood for 14 hours straight of Harry Potter. Hot hand towels are given out during each flight, use these and consider keeping them with you throughout the flight as the toilets did not have hand towels (only tissues) and the soap ran out on all flights. Poor quality of headphones provided, my advice is to bring your own (my iPhone ones worked a treat). Kind, friendly staff on all flights, most with excellent English. All flights departed on time, all arrived early. Quick and easy transfers in Guangzhou to other international flights (no need to go through security again like at many other airports), free wifi (just follow the instructions at one of the small wifi kiosks). JFK to Guangzhou left window exit row seat, and a freezing cold flight (my feet were numb from the cold at one point), though I slept well for most of it, kind, friendly staff who helped find me vegetarian meals when I couldn't eat the meals on offer (my error for not requesting special meals in advance). Guangzhou to Melbourne: aisle seat in middle row and no issues, good flight all round. Melbourne to Guangzhou in a right window seat - the in-flight entertainment had changed since earlier flights I took the previous month. No issues, good flight all round. Guangzhou to JFK with a joke of a boarding process for this flight - everyone lined up an hour before departure, only to be shunted on to buses and driven around the airport in Guangzhou for 15 minutes to find the plane. Not generally an issue, but all passengers then had to walk up 2 flights of external metal stairs and not pleasant for those with a fear of heights or the elderly (one woman looked about 90 and was definitely struggling), young kids, and those with lots of carry-on luggage. Another freezing cold flight. Seats seemed smaller than on other planes with this airline, less leg room, more cramped width-wise. Otherwise, everything else was okay, with good in-flight entertainment. Immigration at JFK was a nightmare, but that's another story.

✅ Verified Review | Perth to Los Angeles via Guangzhou. I am satisfied with the service provided by China Southern Airlines relative to the price. Chinese Government currently forbids the use of mobile phones on flights. No Wifi was available on these flights (would be useless unless they allowed the use of iPads/notebooks, iPhone on flight mode). While their website is in English and Chinese, some email confirmations (like the booking of special seats) arrives only in Chinese. Perth to Guangzhou Premium Economy Flight has sub-standard seats that are just regular Economy seats with more leg space. Their upper deck economy class on the A380 used the same seats as other airlines with the same class, but some of the bins next to windows were being used for airline equipment. Food service could be improved for western tastes and expectations. Not offering me soft drinks regularly, no ice cream, chips or anything I wanted.

✅ Verified Review | I fly China Southern every 3-4 months and the crew on my last flight from Guangzhou to Los Angeles on January 5th was the very best, helpful and kind crew I have experienced. They went out of their way to make me comfortable. Never had such a great experience like this before with China Southern.

✅ Verified Review | Guangzhou to New York JFK on Jan 3rd. It is my first time choosing first class with China Southern Airlines, the seat layout is 1:2:1, and the seats go to a full flat bed. The cabin is tidy, and flight attendants always clean the bathroom. They offered me slippers, pajamas, noise-canceling headphone, and Salvatore Ferragamo travel bag. There is a Self service bar between first and business class with juice, alcohol, fruit, and dessert. It was a great journey and I highly recommended China Southern Airlines.

✅ Verified Review | Los Angeles to Auckland via Guangzhou with China Southern. Check-in at LAX was speedy and efficient. The person on the desk could answer all my questions and make the changes that I wanted. The lounge at LAX is not great - I wish that they would look into using another lounge. Boarding was straight-forward and I was directed to my seat. The 1-2-1 layout on the A380 is great - I had a window seat and it was very private. Amenity kit was great. CZ offer slippers in-flight and a useful shoe horn. The Business cabins on the upper floor was almost full, but service was speedy and very pleasant throughout the flight. The only issue I had was that there were some noisy crew during the night flight, but the CSM explained that there had been a couple of medical issues on board and apologies. Meals were of a good standard. I pre-ordered a meal and it arrived as described. On CZ, you have to order your pre-dinner drink and dinner drink at the same time - if you forget, they will bring it to you but always helpful to know. Lots and lots of food at meals and tons of drink and snacks overnight. On arrival at CAN I was met by an airline rep who shepherded me through arrival procedures and took me to check-in at the free hotel for the duration of my stay. Lounge at CAN was fine - upstairs is very restful. Business and First had their own little bus, which was appreciated. On board the second flight, the crew were outstanding - it is a smaller plane and the service was really personalized. I had changed my meal request and didn't confirm it, so it hadn't been loaded, but the duck that I chose was simply outstanding - succulent and tender. Breakfast into Auckland not so good. Snack service overnight was available - lots of things to nibble on. Bed was very comfortable and the duvets are outstanding. I think it helped that the Business cabin was only 2/3 full, but even so - great value for money. The bags I checked in LAX arrived very promptly on arrival in Auckland. If time is not pressing, this is a great choice for travel to LAX and JFK - service is miles ahead of many other airlines on the transpacific route. There is still a little work to do on food and entertainment (they need to have more than 2 episodes of television programmes), but taking into account the price, these are the most minor of issues. I'm looking forward to my next trip to Europe - it will certainly be with CZ, as will my next trip to the US.

✅ Verified Review | Guangzhou to Auckland on 4th January 2017 with China Southern Airlines. It was a great flight for me. Very friendly cabin crew with good effort. The cabin was tidy when entering and the lavatories were clean when I used them. The food was hot and yummy. The cabin staff were smiling when providing service. Excellent flight experience.

✅ Verified Review | Shanghai to Paris via Guangzhou. After boarding the flight attendants arranged luggage for us. Boeing 777-300 aircraft with the latest entertainment and private business configuration. The cabin crew told the connecting flight info that let us pass the customs easily. I think the transferring issues in Guangzhou is great. Guangzhou to Paris A330 is not good as 777-300, but the cabin service and meal was satisfactory. The China Southern deluxe noodle was special appropriate for Chinese. Although the cabin crew explained why the phone is forbidden for CAAC regulation of China, I am still confused about that cause it will never appear in any other foreign flight。

✅ Verified Review | Guangzhou to Shanghai. China Southern's domestic and regional flights are a far cry from their fine international offerings. You get a good experience for a good price. The crew doesn't speak English very well, but it was no problem, and they were enthusiastic and helpful. The beverage selections are limited, but the crew chief made me a black coffee (instant) special rather than pour the sugared swill from the jug. The boxed snack is atrocious - don't eat it, but bring your own snacks. The inflight entertainment is good, though you may have to ask for a replacement set of the cheap headphones (or again, bring your own). On the whole, the negatives about China Southern's domestic service are expected, and on-par with their competitors. The positives are good and friendly service from attentive staff, good prices, and reliable scheduling. I'll fly them again for my next domestic trip.

✅ Verified Review | Paris CDG to Singapore via Guangzhou. Excellent cabin crew service. The flight purser offered me snacks and beverages when I wandered to the back of the plane and took the initiative to ensure that all my needs was taken care of. When she saw that I couldn't sleep, due to it still being afternoon in Paris, she chatted with me and was very patient with my questions. The other flight attendants were also very friendly, helpful and all carried out their duties with a warm smile. They all took great care of me and I really enjoyed my trip with them.

✅ Verified Review | London to Melbourne return via Guangzhou. China Southern Airlines provide a value for money, long haul option when travelling to Australia. The aircraft are quite new and I travelled on their new Boeing 787 and A380 aircraft. Staff are friendly, polite and competent. The inflight hospitality options are more than adequate providing Chinese and Western options at all meal service times. The routing also means that there is usually a minimum time spent in transit. Highly recommended if you're on a budget.