China Domestic Airlines Comparison: Which to Choose? (2026)

China has a lot of domestic flights. A lot. On popular routes (Beijing–Shanghai, Shanghai–Shenzhen, Chengdu–Xi’an), you’ll see flight options stacked like a menu at a hotpot restaurant.

So which airline should you choose?

This guide compares the major domestic carriers (plus budget options) in a practical way:

• price vs reliability vs comfort
• baggage policy differences that matter to travelers
• economy vs business class reality
• best booking platforms for foreigners
• which airlines are easiest if you don’t speak Chinese

Quick Answer

• If you want the simplest “mainstream full-service” experience: Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern are safe default picks.
• If you care about a more premium vibe on many routes: Hainan Airlines often feels a notch above.
• If you’re price-first and traveling light: Spring Airlines can be great—if you accept low-cost rules.
• If your route is regional (and it’s the only direct flight): regional airlines like XiamenAir, Shenzhen Airlines, or Sichuan Airlines can be perfectly fine.

Table of Contents

• The 8 Major Domestic Airlines (Quick Table)
• Airline-by-Airline Breakdown
• Budget Airlines (Spring, Juneyao) vs Full-Service
• On-Time Performance: What to Expect
• Economy vs Business Class in China
• Baggage Policies Compared (What Trips People Up)
• Best Booking Platforms for Foreigners
• Which Airline Is Best for Foreigners?
• FAQ
• CTA: Plan Flights Like a Local (Without the Stress)

The 8 Major Domestic Airlines (Quick Table)

Here’s a high-level view of eight common carriers you’ll actually encounter.

Airline	Type	Main hubs	Best for	Notes
Air China	Full-service	Beijing	Northern routes, connections	Flag carrier, steady option
China Eastern	Full-service	Shanghai	East China network	Massive domestic coverage
China Southern	Full-service	Guangzhou/Shenzhen	South China network	Big network, lots of frequencies
Hainan Airlines	Full-service	Beijing/Haikou	Better “premium feel”	Often rated well for service
Shenzhen Airlines	Full-service	Shenzhen	South China + Star Alliance ties	Often practical for Shenzhen routes
XiamenAir	Full-service	Xiamen/Fuzhou	Fujian routes, efficient ops	Solid regional performance
Sichuan Airlines	Full-service	Chengdu	West China routes	Common for Chengdu connections
Shandong Airlines	Full-service	Jinan	Shandong routes	Often shows up in North China

Two popular low-cost-ish names you’ll also see:

• Spring Airlines (春秋航空) (classic LCC)
• Juneyao Air (吉祥航空) (often “hybrid”: budget pricing, not always budget feel)

Quick Comparison Matrix (The Version You Actually Need)

If you’re choosing between three airlines with similar departure times, this matrix is the practical tie-breaker.

Airline	Price tendency	Network strength	English friendliness	Reliability vibe	Who should pick it
Air China	Mid	Strong in the north	Often decent at major hubs	Steady	You connect via Beijing, want safe default
China Eastern	Often competitive	Strong in the east	Usually workable	Big-airline average	You’re flying Shanghai routes / want many schedules
China Southern	Often competitive	Strong in the south	Usually workable	Big-airline average	You’re in Guangzhou/Shenzhen and want frequency
Hainan	Sometimes higher	Strong on key routes	Often good	Often “nicer feel”	You value comfort if price difference is small
Shenzhen Airlines	Mid	Strong around Shenzhen	Varies by route	Practical	You’re flying from/through Shenzhen
XiamenAir	Mid	Strong in Fujian	Varies	Often efficient	You’re in Xiamen/Fuzhou region
Sichuan	Mid	Strong in the southwest	Varies	Practical	Chengdu-based itineraries
Shandong	Mid	Strong in Shandong	Varies	Practical	North China regional routes
Spring (LCC)	Low base fare	Route-dependent	Limited	Strict rules	You travel light and want cheapest
Juneyao	Often mid-low	Shanghai + key routes	Varies	Often smoother than LCC	You want value without full LCC pain

How to choose in 30 seconds

1. Pick the best departure time (schedule beats airline ranking for most domestic flights).
2. If two options are similar, pick:
   • Hainan for comfort (when available)
   • a big three carrier for predictability
3. Pick Spring only if you’ve read the baggage rules and you’re okay with add-ons.

Route Strategy: Trunk Routes vs Regional Routes

China domestic flying isn’t one uniform experience. It changes depending on route type.

Trunk routes (big city ↔ big city)

Examples:

• Beijing ↔ Shanghai
• Shanghai ↔ Shenzhen/Guangzhou

What to expect:

• many flights per day
• easier rebooking if something goes wrong
• more English signage and support at airports

Recommendation:

• choose by schedule, then by baggage rules and price.

Regional routes (smaller city ↔ smaller city)

What to expect:

• fewer flights per day
• less flexibility if you miss a flight or a flight cancels
• smaller airports with limited English

Recommendation:

• prioritize reliability and buffer time
• book through a platform that can actually help you change tickets in English

Airline-by-Airline Breakdown

Air China (中国国际航空)

Best for:

• Beijing-based routes
• predictable “standard airline” operations

What to expect:

• fairly normal economy experience
• decent international-style processes at major airports
• service is professional, not luxurious

When to choose it:

• you’re connecting via Beijing
• you want Star Alliance-friendly operations (even domestically, it can feel more “international”)

China Eastern (中国东方航空)

Best for:

• Shanghai-based routes
• dense domestic schedules

What to expect:

• lots of flight options
• a “big airline” experience: functional, sometimes crowded, usually fine

When to choose it:

• you’re flying in/out of Shanghai (PVG/SHA)
• you want more departure time choices

China Southern (中国南方航空)

Best for:

• Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and South China coverage
• routes that connect through the Pearl River Delta

What to expect:

• lots of flights, frequent departures
• solid default choice for South China itineraries

When to choose it:

• you’re in Guangzhou (CAN) or connecting through the south

Hainan Airlines (海南航空)

Best for:

• “I want something nicer than average”
• certain trunk routes where Hainan runs strong service

What to expect:

• often better cabin vibe and service than the big three
• still not “luxury,” but noticeably pleasant on many routes

When to choose it:

• price is similar to big carriers
• you want a more premium domestic experience

Shenzhen Airlines (深圳航空)

Best for:

• Shenzhen-based flying
• practical domestic routes with solid frequency

What to expect:

• straightforward operations
• often a good pick if it has the best schedule for you

XiamenAir (厦门航空)

Best for:

• Fujian province routes (Xiamen, Fuzhou)
• regional reliability

What to expect:

• efficient regional carrier vibes
• good choice when you’re in that part of China

Sichuan Airlines (四川航空)

Best for:

• Chengdu-based routes
• West China connections

What to expect:

• very common on west/southwest itineraries
• a normal, workable airline experience

Shandong Airlines (山东航空)

Best for:

• Shandong routes
• North China regional flights

What to expect:

• shows up often when you’re routing through Jinan or nearby cities
• fine as a schedule-based pick

Budget Airlines (Spring, Juneyao) vs Full-Service

Spring Airlines (春秋航空) — true low-cost carrier

Spring is a real LCC. That means:

• base fare can be cheap
• add-ons can stack (bags, seat selection, etc.)

Choose Spring if:

• you’re traveling light
• you’re comfortable reading the baggage rules carefully
• you want a cheap direct flight

Avoid Spring if:

• you have heavy luggage
• you hate strict carry-on enforcement
• your itinerary is tight and you need maximum flexibility

Juneyao Air (吉祥航空) — budget pricing, often smoother experience

Juneyao often feels like a “hybrid”:

• sometimes cheaper than full-service carriers
• sometimes a nicer cabin experience than classic LCCs

If the price is close to a big airline, choose based on schedule and baggage needs.

On-Time Performance: What to Expect

China domestic flights can be very punctual—but delays happen. Common delay causes include:

• weather (especially in summer storms and winter fog)
• air traffic flow control
• airport congestion

Practical strategy:

• avoid very tight same-day connections
• don’t schedule a “must-catch” international flight with a 1-hour domestic buffer

If you’re connecting, try to give yourself:

• 2–3 hours for domestic → domestic
• 3–4 hours for domestic → international (more if you need to change airports)

Step-by-Step: How Domestic Flying Works in China (Foreigner-Friendly)

If you’ve never flown domestically in China, here’s the standard flow. It’s straightforward once you’ve done it once.

Step 1: Arrive earlier than you think

For domestic flights, aim for:

• 90 minutes before departure at major airports
• 60 minutes at smaller airports (still safer to aim for 90 if you’re new)

Step 2: Check in (usually easy)

Options:

• online check-in (sometimes available)
• self-service kiosks (in Chinese, but workable)
• counter check-in (best if you have baggage or questions)

You’ll use:

• your passport (standard)

Step 3: Security screening

Security can be strict about:

• liquids
• lighters (often confiscated)
• power banks (some airports want them in carry-on and may check the rating)

Practical tip:

• keep your passport and boarding pass in the same pocket you always use, or you’ll do the “pat down dance” at the scanner.

Step 4: Find your gate early

Gates can change. Also, some terminals are huge.

What to do:

• confirm the gate number on the screens
• walk to the gate area and then relax

Step 5: Boarding

Boarding can be fast and sometimes crowded. If you want overhead bin space, board earlier.

Economy vs Business Class in China

Economy vs Business Class in China

Economy class (what you’re buying)

On most domestic routes:

• flight time is 1–3 hours
• economy is functional
• snacks/meals vary by route and airline

If you’re tall or want comfort:

• pay for an exit row or extra legroom seat when available
• avoid ultra-cheap fares with strict carry-on rules if you travel with a backpack + suitcase

Business class (when it’s worth it)

Domestic business class can be worth it if:

• you have a long travel day with multiple flights
• you want lounge access for sanity
• you value faster check-in and priority services

But don’t expect:

• “international flagship” business class on every route
• consistent lie-flat seats domestically (rare)

Think of domestic business as “comfort + airport convenience,” not “private suite.”

Baggage Policies Compared (What Trips People Up)

Baggage rules vary by airline and fare class, and low-cost carriers are stricter. The safest approach:

1. Check baggage allowance on the booking page (not on a random blog post)
2. Screenshot your allowance before travel day
3. Don’t assume “carry-on is always free” on LCCs

Typical patterns (not universal)

• Full-service airlines: usually include at least one checked bag on many fares, but it depends.
• LCCs: cheaper base fares, stricter carry-on, paid checked baggage.

Typical baggage patterns (quick table)

Always verify on your booking page. Think of this as a “what to expect” guide:

Airline type	Carry-on vibe	Checked bag vibe	Common surprise
Full-service	Usually reasonable	Often included on many fares	Different fare families change allowance
Low-cost	Strict	Paid add-on	Carry-on weight limits enforced
Hybrid (Juneyao-style)	In-between	In-between	Add-ons may cost more at airport

If you’re carrying specialty items (camera gear, sports gear), check airline-specific policies—domestic rules can be less forgiving than some international routes.

The “foreigner pain point”

Some domestic systems show baggage rules in Chinese only. Booking through platforms that show English summaries can save you surprises.

Best Booking Platforms for Foreigners

For most foreign travelers, the easiest booking platforms are:

• Trip.com: strong English experience, international cards, easy changes
• Airline official apps/sites: sometimes cheaper, but can be more Chinese-language-heavy

If you already use China apps and payments:

• Ctrip (携程) can have more local options, but it’s less friendly if you don’t read Chinese.

Pro tip:

• book with the platform you can actually use when something goes wrong.
• “cheapest” is not cheapest if you can’t change your ticket after a delay.

Booking Tips for Foreigners (Names, Passports, and Avoiding Mistakes)

Domestic flight booking in China is usually smooth, but the “small details” matter more than you’d expect.

Tip 1: Enter your name exactly as in your passport

Use:

• your passport name spelling (letters only, no creative formatting)
• correct surname/given name order as required by the platform

If you’re unsure:

• match the ICAO MRZ line on your passport (the machine-readable line at the bottom).

Tip 2: Keep your passport number handy on travel day

Some check-in flows and support interactions will ask for it. Don’t bury your passport under three layers of snacks.

Tip 3: Screenshot your booking details

Save screenshots of:

• booking reference
• flight number
• baggage allowance
• departure terminal

This helps when:

• your phone data is weak,
• or you need to show details to staff quickly.

Tip 4: Pay attention to “airport pairs”

Many big cities have two airports. The classic mistakes:

• Shanghai: PVG vs SHA
• Beijing: PEK vs PKX

Your booking might be correct and still ruin your day if you go to the wrong airport. Confirm the airport code before you plan transport.

Tip 5: Seat selection is not always obvious

Some carriers/platforms:

• allow seat selection at booking,
• others only at check-in,
• and some restrict it by fare type.

If seat matters (tall travelers, families), check seat selection rules before purchase.

Tip 6: Bring a backup payment method

Even if you already booked, travel days create surprise costs:

• baggage add-ons
• airport transport
• rebooking fees

Have:

• a working card
• and a cash backup if possible.

Which Airline Is Best for Foreigners?

If you want a simple default:

• pick one of the big full-service carriers (Air China / China Eastern / China Southern)
• choose based on schedule and baggage

If you want a “nicer than average” feel:

• try Hainan when the route and price make sense

If you want cheap:

• Spring can be great, but read baggage rules like it’s a legal contract (because it kind of is).

Delay and Cancellation Playbook (What to Do When Things Go Sideways)

Domestic delays happen. The key is to respond like a system, not like a panicked person in an airport food court.

If your flight is delayed

1. Confirm the updated departure time on the airport screens (not just one app).
2. If you have a connection, calculate your new buffer.
3. If you’ll miss the connection, start change/rebook immediately (platform support matters).

If your flight is canceled

Options usually include:

• rebook on the next flight (best on trunk routes)
• reroute via another hub
• refund and switch to high-speed rail (sometimes the best move)

The best “foreigner-friendly” move

If you booked via Trip.com:

• use in-app support to handle changes in English.

If you booked via an airline app in Chinese:

• you may need patience, screenshots, and translation help.

FAQ

Are China domestic airlines safe?

Major Chinese airlines operate modern fleets and standard safety practices. Choose based on schedule, baggage, and reliability rather than fear.

Do airlines have English service?

At major airports and on big carriers, you’ll usually see some English support. On smaller routes, English may be limited—screenshots and translated documents help.

What ID do foreigners use to fly domestically?

Your passport is standard. Keep it handy at check-in and security.

Is it better to fly or take high-speed rail?

For routes under ~5 hours by rail, high-speed trains can be more comfortable and less delay-prone. For longer distances, flights win on time.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

For most domestic flights: 90 minutes early at big airports is a safe rule. If you have checked baggage or it’s a holiday weekend, add more buffer.

Can I check in online as a foreigner?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some apps handle passport check-in smoothly; others are picky. If online check-in fails, just check in at the counter—it’s normal.

What’s the easiest “don’t miss your flight” move?

Pick flights earlier in the day, avoid tight connections, and screenshot your terminal + gate info. Airports are big and gates change.

CTA: Plan Flights Like a Local (Without the Stress)

Domestic flying is easy when you have:

• your booking app set up
• your payment method ready
• and your baggage rules confirmed

If you’re planning multiple flights, consider mixing modes: fly the long legs, then use high-speed rail for shorter hops. It often reduces delay stress and gives you more city-center arrivals. The “best airline” is the one that fits your schedule and doesn’t surprise you with baggage fees. When in doubt, book via a platform you can reach for support in English. That alone saves you a lot of headaches. And always pack one emergency snack for delay time.

Next reads:

• Trip.com train seat selection (2026)
• China layover guide (2026)