Quick Answer (30 Seconds)
Flying domestic in China as a foreigner is straightforward: use your passport to book, check in, and go through security. Book on Ctrip (Chinese) or Trip.com (English), entering your passport number and name. Economy class includes 20 kg free checked baggage + 7 kg carry-on. Check in at self-service kiosks (scan passport) or the counter. Use the Umetrip (航旅纵横) app for real-time flight status and delay info. Arrive 2 hours early — security lines can be long. Delays are common in China — download Umetrip to stay updated.
Full Guide
Flying domestic in China as a foreigner has no real barriers — just bring your passport. I've flown from Beijing to dozens of cities across China. The process is similar to international flights, minus immigration. But there are a few details that differ from what you're used to — knowing them saves time. China's domestic route network is dense: Beijing to Shanghai is 2.5 hours, Chengdu to Lhasa is 2 hours — much faster than high-speed rail for long distances.
Booking Platforms
- Ctrip (携程 xié chéng) — China's largest flight booking platform. App supports an English interface — search, compare, and book all in one. Enter passport number and name (matching your passport). Changes and refunds also handled in-app
- Qunar (去哪儿 qù nǎ ér) — Owned by Ctrip, sometimes a few yuan cheaper. Similar functionality, good for price comparison
- Trip.com — Ctrip's English/international version, fully English interface, supports foreign currency payment — the most foreigner-friendly. Same company as Ctrip, same inventory
- Airline official apps — Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, etc. all have their own apps with occasional exclusive deals
- Fliggy (飞猪 fēi zhū) — Alibaba-owned, accessible within Alipay
Recommendation: Trip.com is most convenient for foreigners — English interface + foreign currency payment. If you read some Chinese, Ctrip has the most features and the easiest changes/refunds.
Buying Tickets with a Passport
When booking, you need to provide:
- Name — Exactly as on your passport (surname first, e.g., ZHANG SAN). Most systems require all caps, surname and given name separated by a slash or space
- Passport number — The number on your passport's information page, alphanumeric, remove spaces
- Nationality — Select your nationality
- Date of birth — Matching your passport
Important: Wrong name or passport number could mean you can't board! Double-check after booking. If you find an error, modify it in the app or contact customer service ASAP. I had a friend who swapped surname and given name — it took 30 minutes at the airport to fix.
Check-in
- Self-service check-in — Airport kiosks in the terminal: scan your passport (place on the reader or scan the photo page), select your seat, print boarding pass. Most airlines support this, with English options available
- Counter check-in — Go to the airline counter, show your passport, and staff will handle it. Checked baggage is also processed here
- Online check-in — Ctrip/Trip.com/airline apps support advance seat selection (usually opens 24-48 hours before departure). After selecting a seat, you can use an electronic boarding pass through security (at supported airports)
Security
Chinese airport security is similar to international standards, with a few differences:
- Long lines possible — Chinese airports handle heavy traffic. Rush hour security queues of 20-30 minutes are normal. Arrive 2 hours early
- Liquid restrictions — Carry-on liquids: max 100 ml per item, 1 L total. Empty your water bottle or finish the water
- Power banks (must have 3C certification since June 2025) must be carry-on — Cannot be checked! Max capacity 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh). Security may inspect them separately
- Remove outerwear — Security requires removing jackets, belts, and sometimes shoes. Take electronics out of your bag for separate X-ray screening
- Passport check — Present passport and boarding pass at security — staff verify your information
Boarding
- Boarding gate — Printed on your boarding pass, but gates in China sometimes change! Check the screens after security
- Boarding time — Usually starts 30-40 minutes before departure, gates close 15 minutes before departure
- Shuttle bus — Many Chinese airports use shuttle buses to the aircraft (not jet bridges) — allow 5-10 extra minutes
Baggage Allowance
- Economy free checked baggage — Generally 20 kg (some budget airlines like Spring Airlines may only allow 10 kg or none)
- Carry-on — Generally 7 kg, size limit about 55cm×40cm×20cm (varies slightly by airline)
- Overweight fees — Checked baggage over the limit is charged per kg, domestic flights about ¥30-50 per kg over
- Power banks (must have 3C certification since June 2025) — Must be carry-on only, cannot be checked! Max 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh). Between 100-160 Wh requires airline approval
Note: Budget airlines (Spring Airlines, West Air, etc.) have different baggage policies with less free allowance — read the fine print when booking. Spring Airlines often only gives 10 kg free checked baggage.
Flight Delays: Normal in China
China's flight delay rate is not low, especially in summer (thunderstorms) and winter (snow in some regions). Delay reasons are usually marked as "weather," "flow control," or "mechanical." "Flow control" (流量控制 liú liàng kòng zhì) is uniquely Chinese — most of China's airspace is military-controlled, civilian routes are limited, and when there are too many flights, they queue up. Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have the highest delay rates, especially for afternoon and evening flights:
- Umetrip app (航旅纵横) — Check real-time flight status, delay reasons, gate changes. Almost every Chinese person who flies has this app — it's essential
- Ctrip/Trip.com — Booking platforms also push delay notifications
- What to do when delayed — For delays over 4 hours, airlines generally provide meals; 4-8 hours may include hotel accommodation. But budget airlines may not
- Delay certificate — If delays affect your onward journey or insurance claims, get a delay certificate at the airport counter or airline app
- Flight selection tip — Choose morning flights (before 8 AM have the lowest delay rates), avoid afternoon and evening peak times
Disaster Manual
Disaster Scenario 1: Wrong Passport Number — Can't Check In
Problem: You mistyped one digit of your passport number when booking on Ctrip, and at check-in, the system can't match it.
What to do:
- The sooner you catch it, the better. Check your passport number immediately after booking. If you find an error, modify it in the app (most airlines allow one ID info change before departure)
- Only discovered at the airport? Go to the airline's ticketing counter (not check-in counter) and request a modification. Staff can help, possibly for a small fee
- If the airline won't let you change it: you'll have to refund and rebook. Refund fees apply (5-20% if more than 24 hours before departure, increasing as departure approaches)
- Lesson: When booking, have your passport next to you and check character by character
Disaster Scenario 2: Power Bank Confiscated
Problem: You put your power bank in checked baggage, and security flags it — the power bank is confiscated.
What to do:
- Power banks (must have 3C certification since June 2025) must be carry-on only — this is a hard CAAC rule, no exceptions
- If you've already checked it in: rush to baggage claim and take it out (only if you haven't gone through security yet)
- Confiscated power banks won't be returned — you'll have to buy a new one at an airport shop or at your destination
- Check the capacity label: under 100 Wh (about 27,000 mAh) is allowed on the plane, over that is not
Disaster Scenario 3: Flight Delay Causes Missed Connection
Problem: You're flying Shanghai → Chengdu → Lhasa, and the first leg is delayed so you miss the second.
What to do:
- Same-airline connecting ticket — If it's a connecting ticket issued by the same airline, they're responsible for rebooking you on the next flight for free
- Separately booked tickets — If you booked two separate tickets with different airlines, neither is responsible for the connection. You'll have to rebook yourself at your own expense
- Buy insurance — Ctrip/Trip.com offers flight delay/cancellation insurance at booking — payouts of ¥200-500 for delays over 2-4 hours
- Keep your delay certificate — Insurance claims require it
- Tip: Allow at least 2 hours for domestic connections, or book connecting tickets
Information verified: August 2026 · Sources: CAAC (caac.gov.cn) passenger baggage regulations, Ctrip/Trip.com booking documentation, Umetrip app · Baggage and security policies may change — check airline and airport announcements.
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