I have also read the many bad reviews of China Southern.

I have flow them internationally several times and I have flown China Eastern several times and I have flown Hainan Airlines several times.

Of the lot, Hainan Airlines has been consistently the best with the best overall service even in economy class.  In fact, on airline review sites on the Internet they generally receive 4 stars (the maximum allowed).

China Eastern was just fine in and out of Shanghai internationally.  Inflight service was kind and attentive but not to the level of Hainan Airlines.

I would have to concur with your comments concerning China Southern, except to say that domestically I have found them mediocre at best and internationally, at least on a par with China Eastern but not at all in the same class as Hainan Airlines.

Regarding what you have read, I would say that those have been my experiences domestically but internationally it was much better.
Guangzhou Airport is immense and chaotic not that it has to be.

I honestly believe that if you are going to use it soon, you do not wish to hear it.  But just in case, be prepared for long flight delays, flights cancel with no forewarnings or apparent reason, no help at all with connections when this happens.  And more than once, usually when leaving Beijing.

If I have a choice, no matter which airline, I use them rather than China Southern.

Flew with them in 2010 from Beijing to Harbin and Mudanjaing to Beijing
without a problem.

just lucky I guess

I've flown them a few times, never an issue, much better than China air.

I've flown with them 4 times and never had a problem. Flight attendents are usually super hot ladies, the food's not bad, flight is on time, all that good stuff. That being said, Korean Air is way better. 

Absolutely nothing to complain about. The staff were polite and attentive, the food was okay as far as these things go, the plane itself didn't make any weird noises and we took off and arrived on time.

Not flown often here, but not real problems... had to change flights once, but it was done a few days in advance, and no great hassle... but then, what does it say when they have to cancel a flight between cities??

Just a update on China Southern service

I took a flight with them from Sydney to Guangzhou last week and true to what you guys said they were late getting in so I missed my connecting flight.

However they did the right thing and gave me a room in a nice hotel and fed me 

transported me to and from all at their expense

only hassle was the flight they put me on had a pit stop and took another 2 hours.

All in all I would use them again as the service was better than average  and the fare was cheap.

Domestically I have found them to be the best, so I imagine they are fine internationally. I did China Easter internationally once....if you think that's fine then I can't imagine CS  being worse. 

Changed my tune. They're f****************************************************************. Don't ever try and get a refund. Just lost a shed load of money through their UK branch.

Fly with them from Brisbane to Beijing and while I was informed of delays the other passengers on the domestic flight where told another reason. 

IFE was the worst no personal screen instead had to watch the communal screen seriously what airline these days has communal screens

Flew with them twice internationally, and had perfect service everytime.  Food is actually decent, service was quick and they didn't hassle me with luggage rules, and the counter attendants to flight attendants were beautiful, but most importantly really helpful and attentive.

Glad to report that the flight from Sydney was fine. No inflight entertainment to speak of but the price was right, the flight was on time and the food was eaten. Was pulled aside for a customs check at Guangzhou and they made us wait around for a while. After that they just loaded us into a golf buggy and took us to our domestic connection. So for the bargain price I would fly with them again.