China has one of the world’s busiest domestic aviation networks, with hundreds of routes connecting cities separated by terrain that would otherwise require full-day train journeys. For routes over 1,000km — or when crossing the Himalayas to Tibet — domestic flights are indispensable. Here’s how to navigate China’s air travel as a foreign visitor.
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China’s Major Domestic Airlines
Full-service carriers
Air China (中国国际航空, CA) — national carrier, most international connections and codeshares. Strong for: Beijing hub, international connections, Tibet routes (requires special permit regardless of airline).
China Eastern Airlines (中国东方航空, MU) — Shanghai hub. Good coverage of Eastern China, Japan, and Southeast Asia connections.
China Southern Airlines (中国南方航空, CZ) — Guangzhou hub. Best for South and Southwest China; largest airline by passengers.
Budget / low-cost carriers
9 Air (九元航空): owned by Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Ultra-low prices on popular routes. Everything is extra (baggage, seat selection, food). Good value if you only need a seat.
Spring Airlines (春秋航空, IJ): China’s original budget carrier. Very low base fares, extensive domestic network. Limited international routes.
Shenzhen Airlines (深圳航空): subsidiary of Air China. Competitive on Pearl River Delta and Central China routes.
Sichuan Airlines (四川航空): good for Chengdu-based routes and Western China. Comfortable and reliable despite being less known internationally.
When to Choose Flight vs High-Speed Train
This comparison changes the answer significantly:
| Route | Train time | Flight + airport time | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing–Shanghai (1,300km) | 4.5–5h (G train) | 2h flight + 2h airport = 4h door-to-door | Either (train wins for convenience) |
| Beijing–Chengdu (1,700km) | 8–9h (fastest train) | 2.5h flight + 2h = 4.5h | Fly |
| Shanghai–Chengdu (2,000km) | 11h (G train) | 3h + 2h = 5h | Fly |
| Shanghai–Kunming (2,100km) | 10–11h | 2.5h + 2h = 4.5h | Fly |
| Chengdu–Lhasa (3,000km) | No direct high-speed | 2.5h flight | Fly (only option) |
| Xi’an–Guilin (1,500km) | 5–7h | 1.5h + 2h | Either |
General rule: For routes over 1,500km or involving mountain crossings to Tibet/Qinghai, fly. Under 1,000km, the train usually wins when you account for airport time.
How to Book Domestic Flights as a Foreigner
Option 1: Trip.com / Ctrip (Recommended)
Trip.com’s English interface accepts all major foreign credit cards and handles passport details automatically. Search, select, pay, and receive an e-ticket. Simple.
Where to find it: trip.com or the Ctrip app.
Option 2: Airline Websites Directly
All major Chinese airlines have English-language websites:
- Air China: airchina.com.cn (click “English”)
- China Eastern: ceair.com → select English
- China Southern: csair.com → select English
Direct booking avoids third-party fees but requires creating an account with a Chinese airlines’ membership programme.
Option 3: Fliggy (飞猪) via Alipay
If you have Alipay set up, Fliggy (Alibaba’s travel platform) offers competitive prices and Alipay payment. Interface is primarily Chinese, but manageable with Google Translate.
Airport Navigation Tips
Arriving at a Chinese airport
China’s major airports are large and well-organised but can be overwhelming:
Beijing Capital (PEK) / Daxing (PKX): PEK is divided into three terminals; Daxing serves certain airlines (check which terminal your airline uses on your ticket). Both connect to the city centre by express train.
Shanghai Pudong (PVG): main international hub, 45 minutes from city centre via Maglev or metro.
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): Guangdong’s main hub. Metro Line 3 connects to the city.
Chengdu Tianfu (TFU): newer international airport, 50km from city centre.
Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX): connected to the metro system; easy access to Hong Kong by high-speed rail.
Security at Chinese airports
- Carry-on limits: typically 7–10kg (strictly enforced at budget airlines)
- All liquids, aerosols, gels: 100ml per container, in a clear bag
- Lighters and matches: one lighter per person is permitted (in your pocket, not bag)
- Powerbanks: must be in carry-on, not checked baggage; capacity limits apply
- Bring a passport: Chinese nationals use ID cards, but foreigners must use passports for check-in and security
Terminal-to-terminal transfers
At multi-terminal airports (Beijing PEK, Guangzhou CAN), free inter-terminal shuttle buses run every 10–15 minutes. Allow 60 minutes minimum for same-airport transfers.
Flight Delays in China: What to Know
China has one of the world’s highest domestic flight delay rates. Causes include:
- Military airspace restrictions (common and unannounced)
- Weather (summer thunderstorms affect Central and East China heavily)
- Airport congestion during peak periods
Your rights during delays:
- After 4 hours: airline must provide meal vouchers or vouchers for refreshments
- After 8 hours: airline must provide accommodation or alternative transport
- Cancelled flights: full refund to original payment method (may take 7–30 days)
Practical tip: If you’re connecting to an international flight, allow at least 3 hours (ideally 4) as your connection buffer from a domestic flight. Delays of 1–2 hours are common.
Budget Airline Tips
When flying Spring Airlines, 9 Air, or similar:
- Check baggage fees before booking — budget airlines charge separately for checked bags (¥60–¥150 per piece), and the total cost may exceed a full-service fare once you add luggage
- Arrive earlier than the recommended time — budget terminal checkin queues are often longer
- Download the airline app — notifications come via app rather than text/email from some carriers
- Read the fine print on changes and cancellations — budget fares are often non-refundable or have high change fees
Last updated: May 2026 · Flight schedules, fees, and airport connections change regularly. Confirm details with the airline before travel.