China Southern Economy London to Guangzhou Review: LHR to CAN covers China Southern’s daily Boeing 787 service from London Heathrow to Guangzhou, an 11 hour 40 minute long haul flight that stood out for its clean cabin, solid entertainment, comfortable economy seat, and very good value for money. In this review, I break down the boarding process, seat comfort, food, service, entertainment, and whether this flight is worth considering.
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
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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.
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 Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 4, 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 Lounge Pass using the buttons below.
After you click Priority Pass, simply scroll down to the ‘Your Journey Starts Here’ section to purchase a lounge membership that suits you. A ‘Standard’ membership is best for more infrequent travellers which allows access to all lounges for a discounted fee (£24 or currency equivalent). ‘Standard Plus’ membership will provide 9 free visits per year, and then at the discounted rate after that. The ‘Prestige’ membership is for the frequent flier, which grants unlimited lounge access for the year!
*Please note, all guests would enter at the discounted entry fee.
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.
*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.
We reviewed this flight on our way to Thailand, the itinerary details of which can be found here.
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.
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.
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
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For more information on China Southern Airlines, you can visit their site here.
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.
Book Lounge Access
After you click Priority Pass, simply scroll down to the ‘Your Journey Starts Here’ section to purchase a lounge membership that suits you. A ‘Standard’ membership is best for more infrequent travellers which allows access to all lounges for a discounted fee (£24 or currency equivalent). ‘Standard Plus’ membership will provide 9 free visits per year, and then at the discounted rate after that. The ‘Prestige’ membership is for the frequent flier, which grants unlimited lounge access for the year!
*Please note, all guests would enter at the discounted entry fee.
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