China’s domestic flight network connects over 200 cities. Three state carriers run most of the routes: Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern. Below them sits a tier of regional carriers. The system works, but it is not as reliable as the high-speed rail. Delays are common, particularly in summer. For the routes where flying wins on time: it wins clearly. For the routes where the train is competitive: take the train. Full transport context: China Transportation Guide.
Key Takeaways
- Three main carriers: Air China (Beijing hub), China Southern (Guangzhou hub), China Eastern (Shanghai hub).
- Book on Trip.com for English interface and foreign card payment.
- Train beats flying on routes under 5 hours door to door. Rail guide.
- Summer delays are real. Build a buffer day if flying into or out of Shanghai or Guangzhou in July to September.
- Airport transfers: factor in. Beijing Capital is 35 km from the city. Shanghai Pudong is 40 km. Transfer guide.
- Power banks in carry-on only. Checked power banks are confiscated at security.
The Three Main Carriers
| Airline | Main Hub | Strongest Routes | Code |
| Air China (国航) | Beijing Capital (PEK) | Beijing-based routes, international connections | CA |
| China Southern (南方航空) | Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | Southern China, Hainan, Yunnan, Southeast Asia connections | CZ |
| China Eastern (东方航空) | Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Eastern China, Yangtze River Delta routes | MU |
| Hainan Airlines (海南航空) | Haikou, Beijing | Hainan routes, Beijing-based secondaries | HU |
| Xiamen Air | Xiamen | Fujian, southern coastal routes | MF |
| Shenzhen Airlines | Shenzhen | Pearl River Delta, budget southern routes | ZH |
For a detailed on-time rate comparison, baggage allowances, and which app is best for each carrier: Air China vs China Southern vs China Eastern.
How to Book
Trip.com (recommended for foreigners)
Go to trip.com. Select Flights. Enter your route and dates. Filter by non-stop if you want to avoid connections. Pay with foreign Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal. E-ticket arrives by email. At check-in, show your passport and the booking reference.
Direct airline apps
Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern all have English apps that accept foreign passports and international credit cards. Useful for managing changes and checking in online.
When to book
Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for the best base fares. Prices rise sharply in the final two weeks before departure. During Golden Week (October 1 to 7) and Chinese New Year, book 2 to 3 months ahead or accept paying 2 to 3 times normal fares.
Train vs Flight: The Decision Matrix
| Route | G-Train | Flight | Take the… |
| Beijing to Shanghai | 4h 30m, ¥553 | 2h + transfers = 6h+ | Train |
| Beijing to Xi’an | 4h 30m, ¥464 | 2h + transfers = 6h+ | Train |
| Shanghai to Hangzhou | 45 min, ¥73 | No direct route | Train only |
| Beijing to Chengdu | 7h 30m, ¥738 | 2h 30m + transfers = 5h 30m | Flight |
| Shanghai to Chengdu | 10h+ | 2h 30m + transfers = 5h 30m | Flight |
| Any city to Hainan (Sanya) | Not by rail | 2h to 4h direct | Flight only |
| Guangzhou to Guilin | 2h 30m, ¥220 | 1h + transfers = 4h | Train |
Airport Locations and Transfer Times
The single biggest factor in the train vs flight calculation is airport location. Most Chinese airports are far from the city center. Factor in 45 to 90 minutes of transfer time at each end before deciding. Full airport transfer guide: Airport Transfers in China.
| Airport | Distance from Center | Best Transfer Option | Time |
| Beijing Capital (PEK) | 35 km northeast | Airport Express (Line 3) to Dongzhimen | 50 min, ¥25 |
| Beijing Daxing (PKX) | 46 km south | Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao/Lize | 40 min, ¥35 |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | 40 km east | Maglev to Longyang Road, then metro | 8 min + 30 min metro, ¥50+ |
| Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | 14 km west | Metro Lines 2 and 10 direct | 30 min, ¥5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | 28 km north | Metro Line 3 direct | 45 min, ¥12 |
| Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) | 51 km south | Metro Line 18 | 50 min, ¥12 |
| Xi’an Xianyang (XIY) | 41 km northwest | Metro Line 14 (new) | 38 min, ¥8 |
Summer Delays: What to Expect
China’s domestic network has a delay problem in summer. June through September, convective thunderstorms over Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing cause cascading delays that ripple through the network for hours. Military airspace restrictions compound the problem by narrowing commercial corridors on busy routes. If you are flying in summer: choose morning departures (less delay accumulation), build a buffer day before any time-sensitive connection, and consider the train for any route where the journey time is under 6 hours. The Civil Aviation Administration of China publishes monthly on-time performance data by airline and route.
Frequently Asked Questions
For airport transfer specifics: Airport Transfers in China. For the airline comparison: Airline Comparison. For layover options: China Airport Layover Guide.