Passengers queue at check-in counters in the departure hall of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. Several airlines have shortened check-in deadlines for domestic flights departing from Shenzhen to reduce passengers' waiting time. Photos from WeChat account "幸福福田"
Travelers departing from Shenzhen this summer may be able to spend less time waiting at the airport, as several airlines have shortened domestic flight check-in deadlines, allowing passengers to complete travel formalities closer to departure.
The move comes as China's summer travel season gets underway and domestic air travel demand surges.
China Southern rolls out 15-minute check-in
China Southern Airlines (CSA) has introduced a "15-minute check-in" service for all domestic flights departing from Shenzhen, effective July 8.
Under the new policy, passengers traveling without checked baggage can complete check-in, clear security and board their flight up to 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time, when boarding gates close.
Previously, most Chinese airlines stopped check-in 30 to 40 minutes before departure.
For passengers with checked baggage, the baggage drop deadline has been shortened to 30 minutes before departure, giving travelers more flexibility while allowing sufficient time for baggage handling.
A notice at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport displays updated check-in cutoff times for Shenzhen Airlines domestic flights.
China Southern had previously tested the service on its Shenzhen-Beijing Daxing route before extending it to all domestic departures from Shenzhen.
The airline advises passengers requiring special assistance — including wheelchair users, travelers with reduced mobility, first-time flyers, unaccompanied minors, pregnant passengers and those traveling with infants or young children — to continue arriving at the airport well in advance.
More airlines shorten check-in deadlines
China Southern is not the only airline offering later check-in.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport has also worked with Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Kunming Airlines to reduce check-in cutoff times for domestic departures.
For these airlines, passengers with checked baggage can check in until 35 minutes before departure, while those traveling with carry-on luggage only have until 30 minutes before departure.
On two high-frequency shuttle routes — Shenzhen–Beijing Capital and Shenzhen–Shanghai Hongqiao — Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and Shenzhen Airlines are piloting even later check-in deadlines. Passengers without checked baggage can check in as late as 20 minutes before departure, while those checking baggage have until 30 minutes before departure.
The trial is expected to expand to more routes in the future.
Information screens at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport promote the airport's "Fly Anytime" service on the Shenzhen-Beijing route, allowing eligible passengers to switch to another same-day flight free of charge.
Meanwhile, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport and Shenzhen Airlines have also introduced a "Fly Anytime" service on the Shenzhen–Beijing Capital route. Eligible passengers holding tickets for Shenzhen Airlines- or Air China-operated flights purchased at 65 percent of the full fare or higher can change free of charge to another flight on the same route and in the same cabin class on the day of travel, subject to seat availability.
Passengers flying with airlines that have not adopted the new policies should note that the domestic check-in cutoff at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport remains 38 minutes before departure.
A notice at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport reminds passengers of domestic flight check-in and boarding gate closing times.
Summer travel demand surges
The relaxed check-in rules come as air travel enters its annual summer peak.
According to VariFlight, a leading Chinese aviation data and flight information platform, more than 27.35 million domestic airline tickets had been booked for July as of July 7, an increase of about 89 percent from a week earlier. International and cross-border bookings exceeded 5.92 million, up about 19 percent over the same period.
Industry analysts attribute the strong demand in early July partly to lower airfares, as airlines added extra flights ahead of the school holiday rush while passenger volumes had yet to peak. Lower fuel surcharges, which took effect on July 5, have also reduced travel costs and encouraged more people to fly.
However, analysts expect fares to rise later in the summer as travel demand strengthens.
Industry forecasts suggest passenger traffic will peak from late July to mid-August, when airfares are expected to remain relatively high before easing toward the end of August as students return to school.
