Companies like aviation data providers VariFlight and State-owned Umetrip have already stopped offering such services for China Southern Airlines flights.

Air China, China Southern and Hainan Airlines earlier posted statements online about the specifications. Air China said in a statement that it is currently scrutinizing third-party platforms, and it reserves the right to take legal action if it detects any unauthorized services.

Hainan Airlines said third-party online platforms that are unauthorized by the carrier pose potential risks that may harm passenger safety and cannot guarantee the services. The carrier said such platforms may also leak passengers' private information.

In the past few years, online check-in for flights have become popular and standard functions for some self-service flight apps, but carriers have been resistant about it. They said that carriers haven't authorized many of such services, and passengers should check in on the official websites or apps of the airlines.

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