FLIGHT REVIEW: China Southern London

This China Southern Economy London to Guangzhou Review: LHR to CAN was part of our journey to Thailand (Phuket), the details of which can be found here.

To explore our ever growing list of flight reviews, you can find them here.

China Southern London Guangzhou Flight Overview

Flight Duration: 11 hours 40 minutes
Departure Time: 10:00 PM (Daily flight from Terminal 4, LHR), lands at CAN at 4:50PM local time (+8 hours)
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Flight Number: CZ304

Booking and Value For Money

For a return ticket priced at just £420 compared to £800+ on non-Chinese airlines, China Southern Airlines provided a budget-friendly long-haul option from London Heathrow (LHR) to Guangzhou (CAN). The question remains though: was the experience worth the savings? Let’s break it down.

We reviewed this flight on our way to Thailand, the itinerary details of which can be found here.

Please note, you can read our Guangzhou Lounge Reviews here: Premium Lounge and The China Southern Business Class Lounge.

Boarding Process and Cabin Atmosphere

We boarded after our visit to the Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow terminal 4 using our Priority Pass cards. For the lounge review please click here.

Boarding was impressively efficient. Passengers were called by group number, ensuring a smooth, orderly process. The serene atmosphere was enhanced by soft Chinese music playing in the background, creating a calm and organized experience.

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Book Your Lounge Access

To access VIP airport lounges even with an economy class ticket, compare Priority Pass membership (up to 20% off through our link) versus a one-off lounge booking at LoungePass using the buttons below.

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Guangzhou Hotel Options

If you are flying early, arriving late, or connecting through Guangzhou, staying nearby keeps things simple. If you are heading into the city, Central Guangzhou is best for sightseeing. See below for excellent hotel deals on Booking.com, filtered based on our top picks.

Check hotels near Guangzhou Airport

Find hotels in central Guangzhou

Browse luxury hotels in Guangzhou

*This section contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Seat Comfort and Cabin Experience

The 11-hour 40-minute journey from London to Guangzhou was operated on a modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a significant plus. The cabin was absolutely spotless, with earphones, a pillow and a blanket waiting at every seat. The economy seats were comfortable, with a 32-inch seat pitch and an adjustable footstool, making the long-haul journey manageable. There was also adjustable headrests, which made sleeping a lot easier on this long flight.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft parked at Heathrow Airport terminal 4

View over Russia during China Southern London Guangzhou flight

In-Flight Entertainment on China Southern London Guangzhou Journey

The entertainment system exceeded expectations, with a solid selection of western films, including recent blockbusters like Oppenheimer, alongside family-friendly choices such as Up, Finding Nemo, and Kung Fu Panda. If you were flying further than Guangzhou, such as to Sydney, I reckon you’d have more than enough western films on the entertainment system to keep you occupied.

In-flight entertainment screen showing western movies on China Southern London Guangzhou flight

Large in-flight entertainment screen in economy class cabin

Food and Beverage on China Southern London Guangzhou Flight

The catering out of London was acceptable, far from gourmet but certainly edible. To be honest, it was no different to British Airways economy catering. In fact, if anything it was better, as China Southern provided a full second meal, whereas airlines such as BA often will only provide a snack for the second meal in order to cost cut. Dishes included a beef and potato stew, chicken and rice, as well as an omelette for the second meal. These were all perfectly acceptable food options, and none of the meals were too bad at all. Beverage options included French white and red wine, along with Pearl River Chinese lager. However, no spirits were available.

Breakfast pork noodles served on China Southern London Guangzhou economy flight

Omelette served with bacon and sausages as a breakfast option in economy

Cleanliness and Facilities

Bathrooms were kept clean throughout the flight, which was impressive for a long-haul 12hr economy journey. In fact, the stewards would constantly go in and clean so fair play to them for being so attentive! The bathroom was always well stocked with soap and toilet paper. I did love the blue mood lighting in the Boeing 787, it gave the lavatory a more premium feel to it, even though I was travelling in economy.

Judging Parameters:

Value for Money: 10/10
Staff: 8/10
Punctuality: 10/10
Food and Drink: 6/10
Entertainment: 8/10
Seat Comfort: 8/10

The Airport Lounge Bro Flight Rating: 8/10

For more information on China Southern Airlines, you can visit their site here.