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Guideline

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1.What is check-in?

After purchasing a ticket successfully, passengers need to check in at our counters in the departure hall with valid ID and get a boarding pass to confirm your seat. Passengers can also check in using self-service equipment in the airport, or via our website and SMS. 

2.How to get boarding pass and check in luggage?

The boarding pass can be obtained directly from our check in counters, you are also welcome to use our self-service equipment in the airport, or check in via our website or SMS before you get to the airport.

To check in your luggage, you need to come to our manual counters before the deadline. However, stipulations may differ in various regions, please consult the local departure airport for details.

For passengers with paper tickets, please go to the airport service counter. 


3.How to deal with the unprinted or lost boarding pass?

Please come to our service counters or duty-counter for inquiry and apply for a new boarding pass.

Passengers who use SMS check in can print the boarding pass by self-service equipment at the airport with received QR code or second-generation ID card. 

4.What documents do I need to prepare before check-in?


Please take along your valid ID for check-in.

Please get the passport, visa and other travel documents ready before check in. Mainland travellers with Chinese nationality who are going to Taiwan,China should present EXIT & ENTRY PERMIT FOR TRAVELING TO AND FROM TAIWAN and EXIT & ENTRY PERMIT for Taiwan. Passport, visa and other travel documents should be carried along. DONOT put any travel documents in the checked luggage. China Southern Airlines will not be responsible for the consequences you may face because of lack of travel documents.

Passengers in need of special services should bring related certifications and applications. 




5.What are the reasons of failure in checking in online or via SMS?

Possible reasons:

1. Network is busy;

2. Your flight does not support online/SMS check-in or it is beyond the online check-in time;

3. Change of airplane types intermits the check-in.

---You can go to the airport counter to check in person or wait for a moment. 


6.What is self-service check-in?

to receive boarding pass by self-service equipment in the airport, or through our website, SMS and other ways with valid E-ticket. 

7.What are the advantages of self-service check-in?
Offer personalized service and reduce the time of queuing at the airport.
8.What do I need to do with the self-printed boarding pass at the airport?
You are welcome to go for security check directly with your valid ID and boarding pass if you have no need to check in your luggage; otherwise, you need to check in luggage at the luggage check-in counter. 
9.Can I print my boarding pass repeatedly?
Yes, but only one copy is valid.
10.When should I arrive at the airport to check in?

Different routes and airports have different deadlines. Generally, passengers should check in 30 minutes before departure, whereas some airports require 45 or 60 minutes before departure. In some major airports, i.e. Shanghai Pudong airport, the deadline for check in is 50 minutes before schedule departure. We strongly recommend you to read the airport information we provide on our website and prepare enough time for check-in. For further questions, please consult the departure airport. 

11.Which kinds of passengers can not check in online?

Passengers who need special services or need to be verified with additional certification, such as children (special check-in service is available for the children on our domestic and international flights departing from Guangzhou.), infants, VIP passengers, disabled revolutionary servicemen, policemen, pregnant, elder without companion, passengers applied for special food, the blind, deaf and dumb passengers, the passengers in need of stretcher or wheel chair, ill passengers, psychopath and prisoners cannot apply for check-in online for now.

Passengers mentioned above need to check in at the counter in the airport.