China Southern Airlines Expands Services to London Gatwick and Increases Flights to Heathrow

China Southern Airlines is set to bolster its presence in the UK with the launch of a new route to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in December 2023, along with an expanded service to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). These strategic moves aim to strengthen the airline’s European network and provide travelers between China and the UK with increased options and convenience.

The upcoming route will connect Zhengzhou, the capital of China’s Henan province, with LGW, the UK’s second busiest airport. Operating on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft accommodating up to 297 passengers across three classes, the flight will depart from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) at 12:30 p.m. and arrive at LGW at 4:30 p.m. local time. The return leg will leave LGW at 10:00 p.m. and touch down at CGO at 5:00 p.m. the following day. Commencing on December 16, 2023, this route will operate twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

In addition to the new Gatwick route, China Southern Airlines is expanding its service to LHR, Europe’s busiest airport. The airline will introduce two more weekly flights from Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern China. Departing from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) at 1:20 p.m. and arriving at LHR at 6:45 p.m. local time, these flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays, in addition to the existing flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Similar to the new Gatwick route, these flights will also utilize Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Jason Liu, Commercial VP of China Southern Airlines, expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for expanding its footprint in the UK market. He emphasized the airline’s confidence in the robust demand for its customer-friendly and cost-effective services. Liu further emphasized China Southern Airlines’ commitment to enhancing its European network and providing passengers with more destination choices and travel flexibility.

China Southern Airlines is a prominent carrier in China, offering services to over 200 destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Africa. With a diverse fleet of more than 600 aircraft, including Boeing 737s, Boeing 787s, Airbus A320s, and Airbus A380s, the airline provides passengers with a wide range of travel options. Additionally, as a member of the SkyTeam alliance, China Southern Airlines offers enhanced benefits and connectivity to its passengers.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, heathrow.com, uk.flightaware.com