On August 20, China Southern Airlines launched the “Last-Moment Boarding” service (referred to as “One-Moment Boarding”) on its Shanghai Hongqiao to Guangzhou round-trip route. This is the second route to pilot the service after the Guangzhou to Beijing Daxing route. The service removes the previous requirement for check-in counters to close 30 minutes before departure. Passengers without checked luggage only need to pass security and arrive at the boarding gate before it closes (15 minutes before the scheduled departure time) to board.

Currently, all 10 daily round-trip flights between Shanghai Hongqiao and Guangzhou are piloting the “One-Moment Boarding” service. China Southern Airlines’ Shanghai branch will optimize key procedures such as check-in and baggage handling to improve operational efficiency, shorten passenger waiting times, and deliver a more efficient and smooth travel experience with a “warm and meticulous” service philosophy.

The Shanghai Hongqiao to Guangzhou route has a high proportion of business travelers, making it an ideal choice for launching the “One-Moment Boarding” service to benefit more passengers. In the future, the airline plans to expand this convenient service to more routes.

The “One-Moment Boarding” service is designed with passenger needs in mind. Through smart technology upgrades and operational changes, it breaks from the industry norm of closing check-in counters 30 to 40 minutes early. It reduces restrictions on ticket changes due to traditional check-in deadlines and offers convenience for last-minute rescheduling, unexpected business trips, early or late flights, and frequent business travelers.

An aircraft taxiing at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

It is important to note that the “One-Moment Boarding” service currently does not apply to passengers with checked luggage. For those with baggage to check, the cutoff time remains 30 minutes before departure on the Shanghai Hongqiao to Guangzhou round-trip route.

Shanghai Hongqiao

Shanghai Hongqiao is a major transportation hub and commercial district in western Shanghai, historically known for its airport. The area has transformed dramatically, evolving from farmland into a modern urban center, especially after the opening of the Hongqiao Railway Station in 2010. It is now a core part of the Hongqiao Comprehensive Transportation Hub and a key engine for the city’s economic development.

Guangzhou

Guangzhou is a major port city in southern China with over 2,200 years of history, historically known as Canton. It was a key terminus of the Maritime Silk Road and later became one of China’s first treaty ports open to foreign trade. The city is renowned for its Cantonese culture, cuisine, and landmarks like the Canton Tower.

Beijing Daxing

Beijing Daxing is a district in the south of Beijing, China, which has recently become globally significant as the location of Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). Opened in 2019, it is one of the world’s largest airports and was built to relieve air traffic pressure from the capital’s other major airport. The area itself has a long history as an agricultural region but is now a major new hub for economic development and transportation.