When planning a trip with China Southern Airlines, it is important to familiarise yourself with baggage allowances in advance to avoid unnecessary hassle at the airport. The airline's policy varies depending on the class of service and route, but generally adheres to high international standards, ensuring sufficient flexibility for passengers.
Cabin Baggage
Passengers are permitted to take items necessary during the flight into the cabin, but their weight and dimensions are strictly regulated. Standard allowances are as follows:
- Economy and Premium Economy: 1 piece weighing up to 8 kg.
- Business Class and First Class: 2 pieces weighing up to 8 kg each.
The sum of the three dimensions (length, width, height) of each piece of cabin baggage should generally not exceed 115 cm. In addition to the main bag, you are allowed to carry a small personal item, such as a handbag, briefcase with a laptop, or a backpack. Special attention should be paid to batteries and power banks: they must be carried only in cabin baggage, and the device must have a clear capacity marking.
Checked Baggage
Free baggage allowances depend on your fare and flight destination. For example, for transcontinental flights or routes within Europe, such as a flight from Amsterdam to London, the Piece Concept is most often applied:
- Economy Class: usually 1 piece up to 23 kg (on some long-haul flights — 2 pieces).
- Business Class: 2 pieces up to 32 kg each.
- First Class: 3 pieces up to 32 kg each.
The sum of the three dimensions of a suitcase must not exceed 158 cm. For infants without a separate seat, a strict allowance of 10 kg plus one collapsible stroller is generally provided.
Excess Baggage
If your items exceed the established limits for weight, size, or number of pieces, an additional fee will be required. Excess baggage rates at China Southern Airlines are fixed and depend on the flight zone. You can pay for excess weight directly at the airport, but it is often more cost-effective to do so in advance via the official website or the airline's mobile app.
Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments
The airline has a lenient policy regarding the transport of non-standard baggage. Sports equipment (golf clubs, skis, snowboards, bicycles) is often included in the free baggage allowance if it falls within weight restrictions. If the limit is exceeded, a special fee applies.
Small musical instruments may be taken into the cabin if they fit in the overhead locker. For large instruments, such as a cello, you must either check them as baggage (in a hard case and marked as fragile cargo) or purchase a separate seat in the aircraft cabin.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
For safety reasons, it is strictly forbidden to transport explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gases, and other dangerous materials in any type of baggage. Valuables, documents, money, jewellery, and lithium batteries (including spare batteries for electronics) must not be left in checked baggage.
Tips for Effective Packing
To ensure a comfortable flight, we recommend following these simple rules:
- Weigh your suitcases at home before leaving to avoid the hustle of rearranging items at the check-in counter.
- Remove all old luggage tags so the sorting system does not send your baggage to a previous destination.
- Use bright ribbons or covers to quickly identify your suitcase on the carousel.
- Place a note with your name and contact details inside the suitcase in case the external tag is lost.