China · CZ / CSN
China Southern Airlines Online Check-in Guide
Asia's largest airline by fleet size, based in Guangzhou. Left SkyTeam in 2019 — now operates as independent carrier with Delta + American partnerships. Online check-in opens 36 hours before on csair.com or in the China Southern app.
Opens on csair.com in a new tab.
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When does China Southern Airlines check-in open and close?
How to check in online with China Southern Airlines
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Have your booking reference and ID ready
You'll need a 6-character booking reference (PNR) and a valid travel document (passport or EU/EEA national ID).
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Open the official check-in page
Use the button at the top of this page or visit csair.com directly. Avoid third-party "check-in" sites.
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Enter passenger details
Add passport / ID number, expiry date, and country of issue if travelling internationally. This step is mandatory and blocks check-in if skipped.
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Choose seats and add extras
Random seats are free in the 24-hour window; named seats and priority boarding cost extra. Skip if you don't need them.
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Save the boarding pass
Add to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The China Southern Airlines app stores it offline once downloaded.
Mobile vs desktop check-in
| Feature | Mobile (app) | Desktop (web) |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding pass in Wallet | Yes (recommended) | Email link only |
| Passport scan | Yes (camera) | Manual entry |
| Push gate updates | Yes | No |
| Print boarding pass | Via email link | Yes |
| Best for | Day-of-travel use | Troubleshooting, family bookings |
China Southern Airlines baggage at a glance
| Type | Dimensions | Weight | Included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 20×30×40 cm | 5 kg | Yes |
| Carry-on | 55×40×20 cm | 5 kg | Yes |
| Checked | — | 23 kg | Yes |
Common China Southern Airlines check-in problems
SkyTeam exit affected miles transfers
Problem: China Southern left SkyTeam in 2019. Existing SkyTeam miles can no longer be earned/redeemed on CZ flights.
Solution: CZ partners now with Delta SkyMiles and American AAdvantage on selected routes. Check codeshare on booking.
Guangzhou is the major hub, not Beijing
Problem: Many travelers connect via PEK on China Southern — but the airline's main hub is CAN (Guangzhou), with the largest network and best connections.
Solution: For onward Asia/Australia travel, CAN connections are often shorter than PEK. Beijing is secondary hub.
China Southern Airlines check-in FAQ
When does China Southern check-in open?
36 hours before scheduled departure. Closes 45 minutes before for international, 30 minutes for domestic China.
Is China Southern in Star Alliance or SkyTeam?
Neither — China Southern was in SkyTeam from 2007–2019, now independent. Currently has bilateral agreements with American Airlines (Oneworld) and Delta (SkyTeam) for codeshare.
Where is China Southern's main hub?
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) is the primary hub. Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) are secondary hubs with significant operations.
