Today there are around twenty domestic airlines in China. The main air carriers for domestic destinations in China include the Air China, the China Southern Airlines and the China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd. All of these airlines offer a number of daily domestic flights to and from most of the Airports of China. The China Eastern Airlines are famous for good on flight services and cheaper rates.
Prices for domestic flights are set at standard rates, but discounts are common. Most good hotels, and many hostels, will have a travel ticket service and may be able to save you 15%-70% off the price of tickets. Travel agencies and booking offices are plentiful in all Chinese cities and offer similar discounts. Even before considering discounts, traveling by plane in China is not expensive.
Some routes are heavily trafficked, especially during peak domestic traveling seasons, including Chinese New Year in January or February, Labor Day around 1st May, and National Day around 1st October. Hence you can find inconvenience in getting domestic flights easily because the locals pick most of the available seats to travel during these days, so it is wise to book as far in advance as possible.
Be prepared for unexplained flight delays as these are common despite pressure from both the government and consumers. For short distances, consider other, seemingly slower options. Flight cancellations are also not uncommon. If you buy your ticket from a Chinese vendor they will likely try to contact you (if you left contact information) to let you know about the change in flight plan. If you purchased your ticket overseas, be certain to check on the flight status a day or two before you plan to fly.
Traveling between Hong Kong or Macau and mainland cities is considered an international flight and so can be quite expensive. Hence if arriving in, or departing from, Hong Kong or Macau it is much cheaper to fly to or from Shenzhen or Zhuhai, just across the border, or Guangzhou, which is a little further away but offers flights to more destinations.
The maximum weights of free consigned luggage for all domestic are 40 kg in the first class, 30 kg in the business class and 20 kg in the economy class. Passengers with infant tickets purchase at 10% of adult fare are allowed to consign one piece of luggage for free. The maximum weight is 23 kg and the dimension must not exceed 115 cm. The luggage exceeding the weight limit will be charged by 1.5% of the economy class airfare on each additional kilogram.
