Domestic flights in China

When flying makes sense

For routes over 1,500 km or to remote western destinations (Lhasa, Urumqi, Kashgar, Sanya, Hailar), flying is the practical choice. For routes under 1,000 km between major cities (Beijing–Shanghai, Shanghai–Hangzhou, Guangzhou–Shenzhen), HSR is faster door-to-door and more comfortable.

Major carriers

The Big Four state airlines: - **Air China** (CA) — based at Beijing, the flag carrier. - **China Eastern** (MU) — based at Shanghai. - **China Southern** (CZ) — based at Guangzhou. - **Hainan Airlines** (HU) — based at Haikou; private, with a higher-rated reputation for service than the state Big Three.

Plus secondary carriers — Spring Airlines (low-cost, based Shanghai), Juneyao (mid-range, based Shanghai), 9 Air, Lucky Air (Yunnan), Chongqing Airlines, Sichuan Airlines.

Booking

• Trip.com is the international face of Ctrip; reliable English booking.
• Ctrip (the Chinese app, 携程) is the larger flight booker, with sometimes better prices.
• Carrier websites in English; sometimes prices match the apps, sometimes don't.
• Alipay and WeChat mini-programmes also have flight booking with sometimes the lowest prices.

At the airport

• Allow 90 minutes domestic, 2 hours for international transfers.
• Boarding closes 30 minutes before departure for domestic.
• Security: 100ml liquid limit (some airports allow up to 1L, varies). Power banks under 100Wh permitted in cabin.

Disruption reality

Chinese domestic flights have a deserved reputation for delays — particularly summer thunderstorm season in the south, winter blizzard season in the north. Schedules pad less than they should. Allow buffer.