China Southern

China Southern Airlines is the largest of China’s ‘Big Three’ airlines. The airline has been a member of Skyteam since 2007 and was the first mainland Chinese airline to join an international airline alliance.

China Southern is based at the modern Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. It operates a fleet of over 400 modern aircraft over an extensive domestic, regional and international network with Guangzhou and Beijing as its hubs.

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White Cloud Mountain

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the main airport of Guangzhou, the capital of the Guangdong province, and has been operating since 2004. It is one of China’s largest and best equipped civil aviation terminals, providing access for more than 25 million passengers annually via routes throughout China, the Asian region and around the world.

The airport is located 28 kms north of Guangzhou with plenty of public transport options to choose from. There are taxis (located outside the Arrivals Hall), numerous bus services and a fantastic subway system.

The word ‘Baiyun’ can be translated as ‘white cloud’, and in context of the airport’s name, refers to the mountain range just north of Guangzhou – a spectacular mountainous region that has attracted visitors since the Tang Dynasty.

Another ‘first’ for China Southern: Baiyun to Aotearoa

The People’s Republic of China is experiencing an extraordinary growth in travel, both inbound and out. Forecasts set the growth of the outbound market to grow from 54 million trips in 2010 to 100 million trips by 2015. Increases in airline capacity to cope with this growth are already in place.

China Southern Airlines opened its direct route from Guangzhou to Auckland in April 2011. The flights operate three times a week and use China Southern’s modern A330-200 aircraft. This route makes China Southern Airlines the first mainland Chinese airline to provide direct air transportation to New Zealand.

China Southern is expecting to see the loads on this and other Oceania routes to increase as the markets mature. By 2015, China Southern is forecasting more than 110 weekly return flights between New Zealand, Australia and China, enabling connections to Europe, the US, Asia and the Middle East via Guangzhou.

Have plane, will travel

China Southern Airlines took delivery of its 400^th aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, in 2010. A further five Airbus A380 jumbos are scheduled to be delivered in 2011, along with ten Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners ready for service in the next year. 

These new aircraft will bring the average age of China Southern’s aircraft down even further – it already owns one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average age of just 7.2 years.

With such a modern fleet, the comforts are world class. China Southern’s First Class is nothing short of luxurious: exclusive seating, offering 180 degree recline and back massage function, together with a private entertainment system accompanied by deluxe meals and service.  For flights over six hours, complementary toiletries are provided.

Business Class provides spacious seating with 180 degree recline, onboard entertainment, gourmet catering and complementary toiletries for flights over 6 hours.

Economy Class on international flights have comfortable seats with a 79cm pitch, a choice of Chinese and Western meals, onboard audio and video systems, magazines and newspapers. Toiletries are provided for flights over 6 hours.

China’s the hub, with SkyPearl Club

China Southern’s frequent flyer program – the Sky Pearl Club – offers members a comprehensive program for ‘earning and burning’ your mileage points. As a member of the SkyTeam alliance, Sky Pearl members can earn frequent flying points with China Southern on domestic, regional and international flights, and on flights with member airlines within the SkyTeam global network.

Mileage earned on all China Southern and partner airline routes can be counted into Elite Qualifying Mileages and Elite Qualifying Segments, adding up to a quick access to the SkyTeam Elite Status.

Points can also be redeemed with partner hotels, banks, telecommunications, and car rental companies.