If you’re looking for a Business Class flight to the UK / Europe with full lie flat seats at a price point that at times is close to Premium Economy on other airlines, China Southern should be high on your list. We have been selling China Southern Business Class flights to the UK and Europe since 2016. In this article we cover our experiences, and Fine Travel clients’ experiences flying with China Southern to the UK and Europe.
China Southern Business Class experience – Onboard
China Southern flies 787-9 Dreamliners between New Zealand and London so the Business Class seats are modern and laid out in a 1 – 2 – 1 configuration.
After Fine Travel Consultant Sunita flew with China Southern, she described the service as:
Good and felt genuine, leaving me with the overall impression that nothing was too much trouble (and I’m often asked by first time China Southern Business Class clients “how does the service compare to “tier 1″ airlines like Air New Zealand, Qantas and Emirates”).
A Fine Travel client who flew China Southern in September 2024 shared:
CS was great by the way! Very good with Mum and the wheelchair etc. Good from check in right the way there and back. The airport in China was spotless and the lounge was really clean (the loos too!). Lounges (here it’s the Strata Lounge) not as good as Qatar or Emirates (but Emirates nowhere near as good business class as CS) but who cares when it’s a few grand less.
The entertainment systems include English speaking movies, and the content is refreshed every three months.
China Southern Business Class Meals
China Southern has shared a recent Business Class menu (click here to view).
China Southern’s Routes and Free Stopovers
From New Zealand China Southern flies from Auckland and there are seasonal flights from Christchurch. Domestic add-ons with Air New Zealand can be included so that your whole journey is on the one ticket. From Auckland, guests have complimentary access to the Strata Lounge.
Guangzhou is China Southern’s hub and generally the cheapest Business Class options require an extended stopover in Guangzhou, however when transit requirements are met, China Southern provides a complimentary room in a 4- or 5-star hotel. New Zealand passport holders are currently entitled to an automatic 15-day visa that can be obtained on arrival into China (please confirm this with your Fine Travel Consultant before booking your flights).
The flight from Auckland to Guangzhou takes approximately 12 hours and then a further 13 to London (Heathrow).
All Fine Travel Consultants are experienced selling China Southern Business.
