China Southern Incheon-Shanghai Review 2026: Fares, Meals & Baggage

China Southern Airlines

Incheon-Shanghai Flight Review

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ⓒ SsoeJini

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Hello, everyone! I'm SsoeJini,

a travel enthusiast specializing in Japan & China :)

Lately, I'm sure many of you are

thinking about a trip to Shanghai, China, right?

When you search for flight tickets,

you'll likely come across one airline first,

and it's usually the cheapest option.

That's China Southern Airlines.

"It's my first time on a Chinese national airline, is it okay?"

"Will the in-flight meal suit my taste?"

"Are the baggage rules strict?"

For those of you hesitating at the payment button,

I'm going to share a comprehensive review and booking tips

from my actual experience flying with them, paying out of my own pocket.

Forget the obvious details; I'll only highlight what you need

to make your decision, so

just follow this post!

Contents

1. China Southern Airlines vs. Major Airlines: Price Comparison

2. China Southern Airlines Baggage Allowance Rules

3. Incheon ↔ Shanghai In-flight Meal Review

4. How to Fill Out the China Southern Airlines Arrival Card

1. China Southern Airlines vs. Major Airlines: Price Comparison

The fastest way to cure decision paralysis

is, of course, to look at the 'numbers', right?

Based on Shanghai flight tickets for an upcoming weekend,

I'll compare the approximate price ranges for you.

Airline	Average Price Range (Round Trip)	Flight Time
China Southern Airlines	From ~$250	Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes
Korean Air / Asiana	From ~$365	Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes

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SsoeJini's Calculation

As you can see, you can save at least ~$109

to nearly ~$146 per person.

For two people, that's a whopping ~$219 to ~$292,

and with that money, you could totally

upgrade to a 5-star hotel for one night in Shanghai!

When the flight time is only 1 hour and 40 minutes,

there's really no reason to insist on a national carrier.

Honestly, flights to China weren't always this expensive ㅠㅠ

With visa-free travel and increased fuel surcharges,

the prices have shot up to an unbelievable level, haven't they?

It's absurd that prices are soaring above ~$365-~$438 ㅠㅠ

I always used to travel for ~$146-~$219...ㅠㅠ

Still, fuel surcharges significantly decreased in July,

making the burden much, much lighter.

And you know it's always cheaper to book 2-3 months in advance, right?

Also, make sure to check Ttangcheori.com!

2. China Southern Airlines Baggage Allowance Rules

As a full-service carrier (FSC),

it's not as stingy as low-cost carriers (LCCs).

For an adult woman who is 165cm (5'5") tall,

there was about one and a half fists' worth of space

in front of my knees, so it didn't feel cramped at all.

What I liked most was the checked baggage policy.

Checked Baggage: 1 free piece, 23kg per person

Carry-on Baggage: 1 free piece, 8kg per person

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Unlike some special offer tickets

with sneaky(?) rules where baggage is separate,

you can fill your suitcase to the brim when you go to Shanghai, China

For those planning to do some shopping, no worries at all.

3. Incheon ↔ Shanghai In-Flight Meal Review

This is the in-flight meal time, which many travelers find a bit daunting (?).

On the Incheon-Shanghai route,

the carts start moving almost immediately after takeoff.

You can choose between a tuna sandwich and a vegetable sandwich.

I chose the tuna sandwich.

They also gave me fruit, yogurt, and water!

The flavors were familiar, so it was generally appealing.

On the return journey from Shanghai to Incheon,

the meal consisted of a single set.

They packed a hotdog, Chinese snacks, yogurt,

and even banana water – quite a thoughtful spread!

Even though it's a short-haul route, Chinese airlines always

provide a simple meal as if it were a snack,

which is why I tend to fly with Chinese airlines when traveling to China.

4. How to Fill Out the China Southern Airlines Arrival Card

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Fill out the arrival card on board in advance

On China Southern Airlines, flight attendants distribute

China arrival declaration forms before landing.

Since there are both electronic and paper versions,

I'll leave instructions on how to fill them out.

▼▼▼▼▼

Make sure to bring a pen and

fill it out on the plane beforehand!

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Ssoejini's Final Verdict

It's an airline that gives you in-flight meals and

a generous 23kg of checked baggage for the price of an LCC –

truly the king of value for money!

Don't let preconceived notions about Chinese airlines

make you stick to expensive national carriers.

Save money with China Southern Airlines and

invest it in exploring Shanghai's incredible food scene instead!

It's perfect for heading straight to Incheon Airport after work on a weekday,

so if you're planning a trip to Shanghai, start searching now :)

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If you're planning a trip to Shanghai,

check out the post below!

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