Domestic Flights in China: Complete Guide (2026)
Flying within China is surprisingly affordable and connects cities that trains can't reach efficiently. With over 240 domestic airports and intense competition between airlines, domestic flights can cost as little as $30 one-way. Here's everything you need to know about booking, airports, and navigating Chinese air travel.
📋 Table of Contents
When to Fly vs. Take the Train
The general rule in China: under 5 hours by train, take the train. Over 5 hours, consider flying.
| Factor | High-Speed Rail | Domestic Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Under 800 km / 5 hours | Over 800 km / 5 hours |
| City-center arrival | Yes | No (airports are far) |
| Check-in time | Arrive 30 min early | Arrive 90–120 min early |
| Weather delays | Rare | Common in summer |
| Price range | ¥75–553 ($10–76) | ¥200–2000+ ($28–280) |
| Luggage | No weight limit (practical) | Strict 20 kg checked |
Major Airlines Compared
| Airline | Type | Checked Bag | Meal | English Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air China | Full service (flag carrier) | 20 kg free | Included | Good |
| China Eastern | Full service (SkyTeam) | 20 kg free | Included | Good |
| China Southern | Full service (largest fleet) | 20 kg free | Included | Moderate |
| Hainan Airlines | Full service (5-star) | 20 kg free | Included | Good |
| Spring Airlines | Low cost carrier | None (buy extra) | Buy extra | Limited |
| Juneyao Airlines | Low cost (Shanghai-based) | None (buy extra) | Buy extra | Limited |
How to Book Domestic Flights
Best Booking Platforms
Trip.com (recommended): Full English interface, accepts international credit cards, best customer service. Slight booking fee but worth it for the convenience. Shows all airlines in one search.
Skyscanner: Good for comparing prices across platforms. You'll be redirected to the airline or booking site to complete the purchase.
Airline websites: Sometimes offer exclusive deals. Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern all have English-language websites that accept international cards.
Fliggy (飞猪): Alibaba's travel platform. Great prices but primarily Chinese-language interface. Only use if you're comfortable with Chinese.
Booking Tips
- Book 2–6 weeks in advance for the best prices. Last-minute bookings are usually expensive.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to have cheaper fares than weekends.
- Avoid booking during Chinese holidays (National Day Oct 1–7, Spring Festival Jan/Feb, Labor Day May 1–5)—prices can triple.
- Use your passport number when booking (not your home country ID). Your boarding pass must match your passport.
- Check cancellation policies. Full-service airlines usually offer free changes up to 24 hours before departure (minus fare difference). Budget airlines often charge for all changes.
Major Airports
| City | Airport Code | Airport Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing | PEK / PKX | Capital / Daxing | Two airports—check which one your flight uses |
| Shanghai | PVG / SHA | Pudong / Hongqiao | Pudong = international; Hongqiao = domestic/high-speed rail |
| Guangzhou | CAN | Baiyun International | Major hub for southern China |
| Chengdu | TFU / CTU | Tianfu / Shuangliu | Two airports—Tianfu handles most flights now |
| Shenzhen | SZX | Bao'an International | Close to Hong Kong border |
| Xi'an | XIY | Xianyang International | Serves the Terracotta Warriors area |
| Hangzhou | HGH | Xiaoshan International | Near Shanghai—consider high-speed rail instead |
| Kunming | KMG | Changshui International | Gateway to Yunnan province |
Baggage Allowances
Full-Service Airlines (Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan)
| Class | Checked Bag | Carry-on |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 20 kg (44 lbs) | 7 kg + personal item |
| Business | 30 kg (66 lbs) | 10 kg + personal item |
Budget Airlines (Spring, Juneyao, etc.)
| Item | Allowance | Cost if Over |
|---|---|---|
| Checked bag | Not included | ¥200–400 ($28–55) per bag |
| Carry-on | 7 kg max | Overweight charged at gate |
| Meal | Not included | ¥30–60 ($4–8) |
Airport Experience & Procedures
Arrival Time
- Domestic flights: Arrive 90 minutes before departure. 120 minutes during holidays.
- International to domestic connection: Allow 3–4 hours. You'll need to clear immigration, collect luggage, and re-check.
Check-in
- Online check-in: Available 24–48 hours before departure on airline apps. Most airlines accept mobile boarding passes.
- Counter check-in: Available 2–3 hours before departure. Bring your passport.
- Self-service kiosks: Available at major airports. Scan your passport, print boarding pass.
Security
- Similar to international flights: remove liquids over 100 ml, electronics, belts.
- Laptops and tablets must be removed from bags.
- Power banks must go in carry-on (not checked baggage).
- Umbrellas need separate screening.
Boarding
Boarding starts 30–45 minutes before departure. Gates close 15–20 minutes before takeoff. Announcements are in Chinese and English on major routes.
In-Flight
- Flight time for most domestic routes: 1.5–3.5 hours.
- Meals served on flights over 2 hours (full-service airlines). Short flights may only serve drinks.
- WiFi is available on some newer aircraft (especially Air China and Hainan).
- Phone use is allowed in airplane mode.
- Toilets are standard and well-maintained.
Money-Saving Tips
- Book on Trip.com Tuesday–Thursday — prices tend to drop mid-week.
- Compare with high-speed rail — for routes under 5 hours, the train is often cheaper when you factor in airport transport and early arrival.
- Set fare alerts — Trip.com lets you track price changes for specific routes.
- Book round-trip — some airlines offer discounts for return bookings.
- Avoid Spring Airlines if you have checked bags — the extra fees often make it more expensive than full-service airlines.
- Join airline loyalty programs — Air China's Phoenix Miles and China Eastern's Eastern Miles accept foreign members. Miles can be used for free flights or upgrades.
- Use Alipay to pay — some airlines offer small discounts for Alipay payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Chinese phone number to book flights?
No. You can use your international phone number for booking. However, some airlines prefer Chinese numbers for SMS notifications. Trip.com handles this well with international numbers.
Can I use my international credit card?
Yes, on Trip.com and airline websites. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. American Express has limited acceptance. At airport counters, cash (RMB) is always accepted.
Is a printed boarding pass required?
No. Mobile boarding passes are accepted at most major airports. However, having a printed backup is a good idea in case your phone dies or has connectivity issues.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Chinese airlines typically provide refreshments for delays over 2 hours and meal vouchers for delays over 4 hours. For overnight delays, they provide hotel accommodation. Staff will communicate instructions—ask airport staff if announcements aren't in English.
Are domestic flights in China safe?
Yes. China's civil aviation has an excellent safety record. Major airlines maintain modern fleets, and safety standards meet or exceed international norms. Chinese airspace is strictly controlled by the military, which means fewer planes in the air but also some flight path restrictions.
How do I get from the airport to the city center?
Major airports have airport express trains (cheapest), metro connections (available at most), airport buses (moderate), and taxis (most expensive). Ride-hailing with Didi (China's Uber) is available at all major airports. See our essential apps guide for setup instructions.
Next Steps:
- Compare with high-speed rail options for your route
- Learn about Alipay and WeChat Pay for airport purchases
- Check destination guides for what to do when you arrive