China Southern economy review: Perth to Guangzhou direct and why the city is worth the stop

China Southern is one of the largest airlines in the world, and for Western Australians it is the only direct link to mainland China. We flew the overnight Perth to Guangzhou service in economy to test the onboard experience for ourselves and to see how the transit through Guangzhou works. We also wanted to know whether Guangzhou, a city many of us know little about, deserves recognition as a holiday destination in its own right rather than just a gateway to the rest of China or onward to Europe.

China Southern Airlines opened the Guangzhou to Perth route on November 8^th 2011. The service started with three flights a week on the A330-200 and grew to five a week by October 2017. When flying resumed after the pandemic, the airline commenced three flights a week using the 787-9 Dreamliner. In great news for travellers, the service will be going daily from December 1^st 2026 to 10 March 2027, putting 55,200 seats into the market.

What is the flight actually like, and is Guangzhou worth visiting? In short, yes! Check out our video on Instagram, then read on for our full review.

China Southern seat and amenities

China Southern configures economy class on its 787-9 Dreamliner in the standard 3-3-3 layout with a 32-inch seat pitch and 5-6 inch recline which is about as good as you will find on a flight of this length. Every seat comes with a blanket and pillow along with an impressive amenity kit for an overnight flight, containing an eye mask, earplugs, earbuds, cotton pads, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste and wipes. You would be hard pressed to find an economy class amenity kit of this quality even on airlines considered to be ‘premium’.  Children have not been forgotten either, with the most adorable kids' kit we have seen. 

China Southern connectivity and entertainment

The aircraft is equipped with Wi-Fi and passengers can review the Wi-Fi information before departure through China Southern’s English-language Australian website. As we had not done this before our flight, the cabin crew were very helpful in getting us connected onboard.

Each seat has a seat-back screen with on-demand entertainment, and headphones are provided. In-seat power comes as a shared AC socket, usually two outlets for each block of three seats, with USB ports built into the personal screens. The socket needs an international converter plug, so make sure you carry one on board. One question we are asked regularly is whether the inflight entertainment is entirely Chinese, and the answer is no. The library is large and offers plenty of choice for everyone, including an expansive kids' section.

Meals and beverages

Two full meals came out on this eight-hour overnight flight, a dinner and a breakfast, backed by full bar service throughout. The cutlery is wooden rather than metal and drinks come in paper cups, but neither took anything away from the food. Dinner offered a choice of three mains and the beef we chose was exceptional. Mini Magnum ice creams were handed out once the trays were cleared. Breakfast was a choice between traditional Chinese dishes and a Western plate built around an omelette.

China Southern safety, fleet and size

China Southern earns the full seven stars in the AirlineRatings.com safety ratings. It operates a mammoth fleet of 693 aircraft with an average age of nine years, which makes it the largest airline in Asia and the fifth largest in the world by fleet size, behind only United, American, Delta and Southwest. Measured by capacity it climbs a place, ranking fourth globally on 151.6 billion available seat miles, ahead of Southwest and Ryanair. The airline runs more than 2,000 flights a day to over 220 destinations on a mix of Airbus, Boeing and Chinese-built COMAC aircraft. 

Guangzhou as a destination

Guangzhou turned out to be an incredible destination, and like many reading this we knew little about the city before we arrived. The direct overnight service from Perth means you can leave WA at night and wake up in mainland China, ready to explore a city that blends traditional culture with modern life and even capybara cafes, which turned out to be an unexpected highlight.

Over a few days we packed in a surprisingly varied itinerary. We visited Baomo Garden and Shawan Ancient Town, explored local markets, joined a cooking class and spent an evening in traditional Chinese dress at a banquet complete with live performances and dancing. At the other end of the spectrum, seeing Canton Tower and the city lit up at night showed a completely different side of Guangzhou.

There was also plenty of time to simply enjoy the city, catch up with friends and get beyond the usual tourist stops. We even found an expat bar showing the AFL finals, proving you don't have to leave home behind completely. English is not widely spoken in China and most of us are no better with Chinese, so a translator app comes in handy more often than you might expect. On the food front, the duck and the hot pot are must-tries. Something we didn't do on this trip but would recommend is a guided food tour, because Guangzhou has some true delicacies and as a tourist it can be hard to know where to begin.

We have told you all about the flight and the city, but why not see it for yourself?

For Perth travellers, Guangzhou works well as more than just a connection point. There is enough here to make it a destination in its own right, or an easy place to spend a few days before continuing further into China or beyond.

Connections through Guangzhou are also incredibly straightforward whether you’re connecting to another flight or simply making it your final stop. Critical locations like Transfer, Arrivals, Exits, Gates, and Baggage Claim are clearly marked with English text and standard international icons. The airport also has a variety of retail and food outlets for those with a longer connection.

Australian passport holders can currently visit China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, making it even easier to include Guangzhou as a holiday destination. Travellers should check the latest entry requirements before departure

Value

Value is where China Southern shines, because you step off having had a great experience without paying too much for it. The amenity kit is up there with the best you will find in economy on any airline, the meals are generous and the 32-inch seat pitch sits at the upper end of the range, so you never feel squeezed in. Wi-Fi and in-seat power round out the product, while easy connections through Guangzhou open up the rest of China along with destinations as far away as Europe.  Our tip? Check the airline’s website when booking as going direct often offers more choice and flexibility.

Summary

For us, both China Southern and Guangzhou itself earn a big tick. The airline answered every question we boarded with, delivering comfort, good food and connectivity in economy at a fare that leaves money in your pocket for the trip itself, while the city proved it deserves far more than a glance from the transit hall. Whether you are heading to Guangzhou for its own sake, using it as a springboard into the rest of China or breaking a journey to Europe, we would highly recommend both the airline and the destination without hesitation.