China Southern includes a standard meal in the price of your Economy ticket, with Chinese and western-style food that varies by flight and caterer. On some flights you can also pay to upgrade that meal, Business Class passengers can pre-book a meal for free on some domestic flights, and special meals are free if you book in advance. Here’s how each option works, with the booking deadlines.

How China Southern Meal Service Works

Option What it means Cost
Standard meal Chinese and western-style food, and the menu can differ by flight and caterer Included
Paid meal upgrade Replaces your standard meal, on some domestic and international or regional flights departing mainland China Paid
Business Class meal booking Choose one meal per flight in advance, on some domestic flights Free
Special meal One per passenger per flight, booked in advance Free
Green Flight Cancel your meal in advance, keep drinks service and earn rewards Free

Paid Meal Upgrades

On some domestic and international or regional flights departing mainland China, Economy and Premium Economy passengers can book a paid meal. It replaces your standard meal, which isn’t served as well, and on flights with several meal services, only the main meals can be upgraded. Numbers are limited on each flight, and once the booking page shows sold out, no more can be booked. You can switch between paid options up to 24 hours before departure, and if you can’t enjoy the meal because your flight or ticket changes, you can apply for a full refund through the China Southern app or mobile website within 30 days after the flight.

Business Class Meals

Booking a Business Class meal is free, with one meal per passenger per flight, but it’s only offered on some domestic flights operated by China Southern, and not in every city. A flight change, ticket change, delay or aircraft swap can mean your pre-booked meal is adjusted or unavailable, and if you change or refund the ticket, the booking is cancelled. Check the booking page for your flight.

Special Meals

China Southern lists 22 special meals, including halal, kosher, vegan, gluten intolerant and diabetic meals. You can choose your meal in advance under Online Service, then Book Meals, on csair.com. Special meals are free, with one per passenger per flight, except that a baby meal can be added as a second. They can only be booked for dinner, snack and light meal services, and they depend on what the caterer in your departure city can make, so check availability before booking. Kosher meals are only available on some flights. For every meal and the booking steps, see our guide: How to pre order a special meal on China Southern.

Departing from Book at least
Mainland China 24 hours before departure
Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad 48 hours before departure
Kosher meals, anywhere 48 hours before departure

Green Flight

If you don’t want a meal, you can cancel it in advance under Green Flight, keep the drinks service and earn Green Flight rewards. To qualify, cancel at least six hours before departure.

FAQs

Does China Southern serve free meals in Economy?

Yes. A standard meal is included in your Economy ticket, and the menu varies by flight and caterer. On some flights departing mainland China, you can pay to upgrade it.

Does China Southern have halal meals?

Yes. Order the Muslim meal (MOML), which comes from a supplier with Muslim food production certification and is prepared to halal religious laws and dietary customs. Book at least 24 hours before departure from mainland China, or 48 hours from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad, and check availability, since it depends on the caterer in your departure city.

Can I order more than one special meal per flight?

No. Each passenger can book one special meal per flight, with a baby meal as the only exception.

Are kosher meals available on all flights?

No, only some flights, and they need 48 hours’ notice.

Can I skip the meal?

Yes. Cancel it in advance under Green Flight at least six hours before departure, keep the drinks service and earn rewards.

Is pre-booking a Business Class meal free?

Yes, one meal per passenger per flight, on some domestic flights operated by China Southern.

Can I get a refund on a paid meal?

If you can’t enjoy a paid meal because of a flight change, ticket change or cancellation, you can apply for a full refund through the China Southern app or mobile website within 30 days after the flight.

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