TRIP REPORT: China Southern, Tokyo - Belgrade via Guangzhou

TRIP REPORT

Japan has always been on my must-visit list. Despite traveling extensively across the continents, it remained a distant dream - one I hoped to fulfill someday. However, with China Southern Airlines recently launching flights from Guangzhou to Belgrade and offering enticing introductory fares to cities like Tokyo, the opportunity was too good to pass up so I packed my bags and set off for the bustling shores of Japan.

This trip report focuses on the return leg of my journey, which began at the excellent Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. While I arrived in Narita on the inbound leg, I was particularly excited to experience Haneda, known for its convenient location and superior facilities.

Departure from Haneda Airport

Arriving at Terminal 3 before 8:00 AM, I was greeted by long queues at the China Southern Airlines check-in counters, which were not yet open. Travelers from diverse nationalities filled the queue and after about 45 minutes of waiting, I reached the counter where a friendly ground agent accommodated my seating requests and checked my luggage through to Belgrade.

Next, I navigated the security and passport control lines, which moved efficiently despite the high passenger volume. Haneda Airport is one of the nicest I’ve ever visited - a stark contrast to Narita, which left little to remember fondly. The international departures terminal was packed with the morning peak travellers and offers an array of duty-free shops and restaurants, providing passengers with ample options before embarking on long flights.

Our gate was among the furthest, requiring a 20-minute walk through the busy terminal. Upon reaching the gate, I found it clean and well-organized with recharge points available for all sorts of devices. Boarding commenced right on time and we boarded a new Airbus A321neo for the four-and-a-half-hour flight to Guangzhou, which was fully booked.

In-Flight Experience: Tokyo to Guangzhou

The flight path took us over Osaka, Kyoto, East China Sea and then southeast towards China, entering mainland airspace over Shanghai. The China Southern Crew’s English proficiency is limited generally, making most announcements difficult to understand. However, the captain informed us that turbulence would be a significant factor for the first three hours of the journey.

Shortly after takeoff, the turbulence began and worsened progressively, keeping the crew in their jump seats for 50 minutes as we endured continuous moderate to strong bumps at cruise level. Once conditions stabilized, we were served drinks and snacks, followed by a hot meal. Surprisingly, this meal was the best of the four legs I flew with China Southern Airlines, with catering from Belgrade being the worst - bordering on inedible.

As we neared Chinese airspace, turbulence returned, causing noticeable anxiety among some passengers. Finally, three hours into the flight, the skies smoothed out, and passengers could move about the cabin. We landed in Guangzhou ahead of schedule.

Transit in Guangzhou

With a long layover ahead, I booked a nearby hotel to refresh and rest. Transiting through Guangzhou was an interesting experience, marked by long walks, queues, and interactions with rather unwelcoming ground staff and government agents. Body temperature scans and health checks remain mandatory. After completing the required arrival forms and clearing passport control (provided by a Serbian-narrated biometric machine at passport control – and in Cyrillic!), we reached the arrivals hall which was far more pleasant than the transit area.

Following our hotel rest, I discovered via FlightRadar that our flight to Belgrade was delayed by over an hour, though no notification was sent. Gmail and most Western social media platforms are blocked in China, adding to the inconvenience to obtain latest information.

Guangzhou to Belgrade

We returned to the airport around 1:30 AM, cleared security and entered the quiet departure terminal. The space was filled with travelers sleeping on seats and floors, awaiting their morning flights. Our packed to capacity Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner finally boarded at 3:00 AM, with a passenger mix of Chinese nationals and Serbian travelers transiting from destinations like Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand and Japan.

The flight took the southern route over the CIS states, Caspian Sea, Turkey, and Bulgaria before reaching Serbia (was hoping for a Siberian flight route).

Unlike the A321neo, the Dreamliner offered in-flight entertainment (IFE) and Wi-Fi. The IFE system was functional but limited, while the Wi-Fi was convoluted and ultimately unusable. Two meals were served, with the breakfast option being more enjoyable. This flight, while bumpy, was smoother than the earlier sector.

We landed in foggy Belgrade about 10 minutes behind schedule, concluding a remarkable trip to Japan.

Final Thoughts

If you have the chance to visit Japan, seize it - it’s a truly unforgettable destination. From its rich culture to its stunning landscapes, it’s an experience I can wholeheartedly recommend, Kyoto was especially awesome.

As for China Southern Airlines, while their entry into the Serbian market is a welcome addition, my overall experience was mediocre. Unless they offer exceptionally attractive fares, I would likely opt for Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways or flydubai/Emirates for my future journeys to the Far East as a matter of personal preference.

Thank you for reading this trip report - I hope you enjoyed it!

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