Travel Guide · Transport · 02
Domestic Flights
For the longer crossings — Beijing to Lijiang, Shanghai to Urumqi — domestic aviation is fast, well-run, and surprisingly affordable.
For the longer crossings — Beijing to Lijiang, Shanghai to Urumqi — domestic aviation is fast, well-run, and surprisingly affordable.
Three groups, dozens of carriers, one standard.
China's three flagship carriers are Air China (CA), China Southern (CZ), and China Eastern (MU). Together they cover nearly every domestic route, and their reliability is excellent. Regional carriers like Hainan (HU) and Sichuan (3U) are equally well-run.
Domestic flights are an excellent choice for crossings over 1,500 km, and often for shorter routes when the alternative is a long bus transfer. Most aircraft are recent, the service is courteous, and on-time performance is among the highest in the world.
A short guide for first-time flyers.
Trip.com is the most foreigner-friendly: English UI, international card support, transparent pricing. Ctrip is the Chinese equivalent. Both offer e-tickets linked to your passport.
Beijing PEK / PKX, Shanghai PVG / SHA, Guangzhou CAN, Chengdu TFU, Kunming KMG, Xi'an XIY. Most have separate domestic and international terminals — allow 90+ min for connections.
20 kg checked + 5 kg carry-on is standard for economy. Most carriers allow one additional personal item. Oversized luggage can be added at the counter for a small fee.
Online check-in opens 24 hours before. At the airport, kiosks accept passports; for international IDs, head to the staffed counter. Arrive 90–120 minutes early for domestic flights.
A few small things to know.
In-flight service is efficient and varied: a small meal on flights over 90 minutes, snacks and drinks throughout. Outside of meal service, bottled water is freely available — bring an empty bottle to refill after security.
On arrival, allow time for the sometimes long taxi queues or for your pre-arranged private transfer. Most airports have a clear “meeting point” sign by the arrivals hall; share the location with us and we will pass it on to your driver.
We will book domestic flights as part of your itinerary — at the right class, with seat preferences noted.