China Southern Airlines Details First Class Services

"Once a passenger arrives at China Southern's check-in counters at any of our Chine-based airport terminals, the first experience the customer has (and invariably the quality of the airline) is the friendly smile he or she receives from the ground staff. China Southern Airlines' truly cares about its passengers and this extends attitude this from the ground to the air," said Mr. Li Kun, Vice President, China Southern Airlines.

In an extensive personal interview, Mr. Li outlined the detailed First Class services available at China's largest airline:

"China Southern Airlines is continuously innovating its ground services and has created Instant Check-In Counters (Counter #22 at Terminal One at Guangzhou's Baiyun International Airport). All passengers may check in there at anytime within 40 minutes prior to flight departure," said Mr. Li. He added that, "Our Instant Check-In Counters are available, all day long, for passengers to check in. Since our customers may immediately check in upon arrival (regardless of when their flight leaves) at the airport, it greatly shortens their waiting time."

According to Mr. Li, in 2001, the Instant Check-In Counter at Baiyun International Airport received 201,187 passengers prior to their normal check-in counter opening. "This not only alleviates the pressure on the normal check-in counters but also is a significant convenience to our passengers." 

At the departure hall at Baiyun International Airport, Counter 9 is strikingly different among all other counters with red carpet on the floor, beautiful fresh flowers on the counter and attractive red suited attendants. This is China Southern's First Class Check-In Counter. China Southern Airlines offers its premium First Class passengers with finest in personal attention and has vigorously upgraded First Class equipment and its overall image. China Southern has created nine branded services available to all First Class customers, including:

1. VIP Door-to-Door Transfers 

When First Class passengers contact the airline's customer service staff (four hours prior to departure), China Southern Airlines will arrange complimentary VIP ground transfers from your hotel, office or home to the airport and will personally handle all boarding passes and luggage check-in arrangements.

2. Personal Check-In Counter

First Class passengers need not queue up in long check-in lines. Just go straight to China Southern's exclusive First Class Check-In Counter and the expert check-in staff will be available to help smooth through all check-in procedures.

3. First Class Recruits 

China Southern Airlines puts a high premium on the image of its First Class personnel and openly recruits its personnel through the Internet and regional newspapers, seeking staff who have a high standard of formal schooling and International expertise. Dressed in China Southern Airlines' distinctive uniforms - red suit and red cap - these are the finest personnel the airline offers and are always available there to provide First Class passengers with exceptional personal service.

4. Private Security Channel

After check in, customer service representatives will personally escort First Class passengers through an exclusive and very private First Class security area to avoid any crowded passenger lines.

5. Exclusive Club Lounge

First Class/Business Class passengers may enjoy China Southern Airlines' elegant, comfortable and luxurious exclusive club lounge.

6. Dedicated E-Commerce Service

China Southern Airlines is the first Chinese airline to offer passengers free, high speed Internet service at its First Class/Business Club Lounge, where passengers may do their business, stock trading or just check-up on their e-mail while enjoying a relaxed moment prior to departure.

7. Club Benefits

Our Club Lounge greets passengers with not only warm Chinese tea but also a selection of cold drinks and light refreshments. We invite our customers to take a moment to browse through a large selection of the latest Chinese and international newspapers and current periodicals.

8. VIP Airport Ground Transportation

China Southern Airlines uses luxurious imported limousines to transport our VIP clients for departure or on arrival at the airport. Our First Class passengers may enjoy pre-boarding on all flights at their leisure.

9. Exclusive Flight Delay Service

Should any unforeseen flight delay arise, please stop by China Southern Airlines' exclusive restaurant in the departure hall and enjoy a wide selection of delicious Chinese and Western cuisine. If your flight is delayed for more than four hours, China Southern Airlines will provide a free, deluxe hotel room to shower, sleep, relax or keep working before boarding the flight.

According to Mr. Li, China Southern Airlines' high-quality First Class services has won solid passenger kudos and the number of First Class passengers is growing steadily. In 2001, China Southern had 73,429 Chinese and International First Class passengers, an increase of 43% compared with that in 1999.

In 1997, China Southern Airlines created an all-new connection/transfer service and quickly won accolades as it set the path in the domestic Chinese air market. Even as other Chinese carriers emulate the China Southern Airlines example, the carrier continues to enlarge its services to enable passengers to quickly get their boarding pass and luggage checked in for the final destination. 

In the aviation world, time is always of the essence.

In order to shorten passengers transfer time, China Southern began its "Plane-to-Plane" service, cutting transfer time from domestic flight to domestic flight to a mere 20 minutes, greatly enhancing transfer efficiency and quality.

"For those passengers who cannot connect to their same-day flight in Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines will offer a free overnight hotel stay at our contracted hotels around the airport. This service has also boosted the growth of our overnight transfer passengers in Guangzhou," added Mr. Li.

China Southern Airlines Connections also provides multiple services, not only with tickets to every corner in the world but also the reconfirmation of their on-going or return tickets; special service for senior adults, handicapped passengers and unaccompanied minors as well as single-day tours or shopping excursions in Guangzhou for those passengers with longer transfer intervals. 

The largest airline in The People's Republic of China for the past 23 years, China Southern Airlines connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major business and vacation destinations served in China include: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan and as well as international service, including: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Osaka, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore and Sydney.