The VIP treatment began from the moment I checked in for my China Southern Business Class flight from San Francisco, USA to Guangzhou, China. The 72-hour visa-free transit policy in China makes it easy to fly direct to Guangzhou from the USA. Guangzhou is the ideal hub to start your trip around China or as a short stopover while exploring Asia or beyond.
VIP lounge access was the perfect way to start the journey from the USA to China with China Southern Airlines. Image © Pat Bailey
China Southern Business Class Review
Check-In
Our China Southern Business Class Review has to start at the check-in red carpet. The China Southern Business Class Check-In at the SFO International Terminal was a welcome sight to the alternative long line of Economy Class. Unlike Economy Class, the weight limit for checked bags and carry-on bags is waived as one of the many perks to traveling on an upgraded ticket with this airline. I checked one bag very easily and carried another one on with me. When it was time to board, I was given priority access to board and a private shuttle to the plane.
A dedicated, glassed-in area is where Business Class VIP fliers check in at the Guangzhou airport. Credentials are checked, bags are tagged and checked, and the process is very easy and exclusive.
Pat enjoys a quiet moment in the lounge before her China Southern Airlines flight direct to China. Image © Pat Bailey
VIP Lounge Experience
My check-in included an access ticket to the VIP lounge for relaxing before my flight. The VIP lounge for China Southern at SFO is a shared lounge with Virgin Atlantic, it is cozy and welcoming with a full bar, menu of light food, complimentary tea, fruit and cookies and WiFi.
I was given a personal escort from the China Southern check-in area in Guangzhou to the dedicated VIP Lounge area before the flight, and to my flight from the lounge. This two-level lounge has ample seating for dining with a fresh hot meal of soups and traditional Chinese dishes along with various light snacks. The upper level has cozy seating, showers and even private office areas for working. WiFi access within the constraints of Chinese law is available and complimentary. Personal attendants make announcements of leaving flights to help guests navigate their travels and a traditional tea service is served in the afternoon.
Pat peruses the menu in China Southern Business Class as she waits to take off from San Francisco. Image © Pat Bailey
Comfort
The stand out comforts on this Business Class flight included personalised service, hot hand towels and plenty of fluids during the flight, a full wine and cheese service during dinner, plates of chocolates, and other snacks that could be ordered at whim, an amenities kit that included a toothbrush and toothpaste, comb, ear plugs, lip moisturiser, lotion, and an eye mask. A pair of slippers, a down pillow and a generous thermal blanket and headphones also accompanied each seat. In-flight entertainment, including foreign films and Hollywood movies, was available for the duration of the flight. The bathroom was generous and equipped with mouthwash, perfume, lotion and scented mist.
Settling in on our China Southern Airlines flight with every comfort you would expect from an international Business Class offering. Image © Pat Bailey
Personalised comfort controls at your fingertips in Business Class with China Southern. Image © Pat Bailey
In-flight entertainment aplenty to keep Pat occupied during her 11-hour flight from the USA to China. Image © Pat Bailey
Seat
The Business Class cabin of my China Southern flight offered an aisle seat to every passenger. On the leg from SFO to Guangzhou I sat next to a new friend and fellow traveller and we were able to chat but also have our own generous space, on the returning flight I sat in a single seat by the window which felt like my own private compartment with a view.
The seat is a generous size with more than ample leg room, and offers a variety of positions for various comforts throughout the flight. I went from fully upright for take off and landing, to slightly reclined for dining, and fully reclined for the ultimate comfort during the 11 hours in the air. Everything you need is within short arm’s distance while in your seat.
Pat enjoying the view from her window seat on the return flight to San Francisco from Guangzhou. Image © Pat Bailey
In-Flight Dining
The food for both meals, dinner and breakfast, was ordered before take-off with personal questions from the flight attendant regarding my choices. I was asked if I wanted to be woken up for service and what I wanted to drink during the flight. Both meals were several courses and my vegetarian diet was taken into consideration. White cloth and napkin service is part of the dining experience on this flight. A blending of traditional Chinese cuisine with Western comforts is served.
The in-flight dining menu on China Southern Airlines flight offered the perfect mix of Chinese and Western dishes. Image © Pat Bailey
“My personal flight attendant was happy and helpful for the flight, sometimes anticipating things before I even asked” – Pat Bailey. Image © Pat Bailey
Service
Each passenger on a China Southern Airlines flight is assigned a flight attendant and this flight attendant is in full service to them throughout the flight. My personal flight attendant was happy and helpful for the flight, sometimes anticipating my needs before I had even asked.
The Fit Traveller was a guest of China Southern Airlines for this flight. As always, the opinions, words and images are authentically our own.
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