Formed in 1949, CAAC was an all-encompassing organization responsible for civil aviation in China as it was tasked with passenger transport, resource development and survey work, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance,, and personnel training.

In December 1995, the Chinese and United States governments signed an aviation agreement that would allow the commencement of non-stop air services between the two countries.

[15] The start of European and American services coincided with the arrival of the long-range Boeing 777s, the first of which was delivered in late December 1995, as well as a general expansion and upgrade of the carrier's fleet and the associated facilities.

As a result, the carrier considered, but ultimately decided against, leasing the Boeing 747-400, which would have been used to cover anticipated delays as well as to launch trans-Pacific services to the United States.

Much of the funds raised were used to facilitate the airline's fleet expansion, repayment of debt, and investments in other capital;[23] it followed up with domestic listing in 2003 at the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Initially, China Southern looked to acquire several smaller non-profitable domestic carriers as it sought to highlight its expansion plans intoaise funds; among the deals was the purchase of 60% shares of Guizhou Airlines.

Given the latter's dual listing in Hong Kong and New York, it was thought that such a merger would have eased Air China's path towardits own share offering.

[29] Within a month, China Southern had started absorbing Zhengzhou-based Zhongyuan Airlines, which at the time operated five Boeing 737s and two Xian Y-7 turboprops.

To capitalize on the economic growth of the Pearl River Delta region (which includes Hong Kong), the carrier constructed a dedicated cargo center in Shenzhen.

In preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China Southern, and the Chinese government placed several landmark widebody-aircraft orders from Airbus and Boeing.

"[49][50] Following two years of negotiations which had started in August 2004, in late June 2006, China Southern signed an agreement with SkyTeam, one of the three global airline alliances, formally pledging itself to the improvement of standards with the aim of its eventual joining.

The welcoming ceremony was attended by high-ranking Chinese government and SkyTeam corporate officials and was held at the Great Hall of the People.

[59] On 18 October 2006, China Southern Airlines placed an order for six Boeing 777 freighters, striding forward a brand new step in its cargo development.

[63] On 21 January 2010, China Southern Airlines announced an order for an additional 20 A320-200s, scheduled for delivery in 2011, due to the falling fuel costs and surging passenger demand.

[73] With the increase in outflow of Chinese tourists, who in 2012 ,for example ,spent $102 billion internationally,[74] as well as the rapid construction and introduction of high-speed rail in China, the carrier shifted its outlook overseas to sustain growth.

[81] On 7 June 2013, China Southern operated its first Boeing 787 on a route from Guangzhou to Beijing Capital, the first Chinese airline to introduce the 787-8.

[82] The 787s were going to be part of China Southern's fleet for only a dozen years: in November 2024, the airline announced its intention to sell all 10 aircraft of the type by 2026 due to challenges in recovering long-haul services following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aircraft were retired due to market challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, the last two being flown to storage at Mojave Air and Space Port in December 2022.

The two airlines have signed codeshare and interline agreements to provide travelers with flights to more destinations in China, North and South America.

The codeshare route partnership includes the ability to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles, check baggage through, and book tickets.

Jean Weng, a Woods Bagot Beijing-based principal, said "Most Chinese cities are very dense and very urban, but China Southern wants to create a human-scale campus, that's close to nature.

There are also plenty of international flights operated through Beijing, Shanghai, Ürümqi (notably to Central Asia and Middle-east) and Dalian (to Japan, South Korea, and Russia).

[76][non-primary source needed] On 12 December 2024, it was reported that China Southern has resumed the direct routes between Guangzhou and Adelaide, South Australia.

The cargo airline provides services between mainland China and North America, Europe, and Australia, where destinations such as Amsterdam, Anchorage, Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, Vienna, and London Stansted are served from its main hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, with cargo flights to Amsterdam and Milan from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.

[citation needed] In efforts to make its A380s viable, China Southern started operating A380 on its Guangzhou–Los Angeles route and on the Guangzhou–Sydney route.[when?]

It also had First Class on Airbus A330s and Boeing 777-300ERs, which featured a seat pitch of 84 inches (210 cm) and converted into a fully flat bed with a personal TV.

This cabin offered more amenities and was more spacious than Regular First Class, such as a variety of lighting options and a private storage cabinet with a password lock.

[168][non-primary source needed] Business Class also offers a fully flat bed, and an adjustable privacy divider.

Although the USDA cited Air Transport International for failure to provide food and water to the imported animals, China Southern Airlines was previously also ordered to pay $14,438 for AWA violations during one transport that left more than a dozen monkeys dead after they went without food and water for an extended period of time.

[178][179] In November 2023, the airline inadvertently priced its tickets as low as 10 yuan (around $1.37) on its mobile app and travel websites like Trip.com, due to a technical glitch.