With its headquarters in Haikou, Hainan is one of the big five airlines in China – it also happens to be privately owned. The airline operates over 500 routes from Hainan, plus various special charter services. Hainan’s main base is at Haikou Meilan International airport (HAK), with a major hub at Beijing Capital International (PEK), where it ranks second in the number of intercontinental routes. They operate from Beijing Capital International (PEK) as a major hub, with Xi’an Xianyang International (XIY) as a key destination in their network.
When I was based in Hong Kong for a while, I used Hainan Airlines a lot to get around China, as they had great routes to cities across the country. From the US I have also flown their business class frequently to Beijing, as I love the “Dream Feather” cabin on their Boeing Dreamliner, designed by UK design firm Priestman Goode, with its soft lighting and extra space. Here’s everything you need to know about flying with Hainan Airlines.
Classes on board
Hainan Airlines offers three classes across the fleet: Business, Premium Economy and Economy, with seating configurations varying by plane model.
Business class on Hainan Airlines features 180-degree lie-flat seats. Seating arrangements vary by plane model, but configurations include USB ports, reading lights and entertainment screens.
Premium economy features exclusive Collins MiQ seats in a separate cabin from Standard Economy for a more private experience. I really like this class.
The seats offer 38 inches of personal space with a 4-way adjustable headrest, 7-degree recline, three storage areas, 13-inch 1080p HD screens, electric sockets, USB charging ports and footrests.
Depending on the aircraft, economy class features seats with up to 32 inches of space and less recline on the seat, plus a personal entertainment screen of 10.6 inches (or 8.9 inches depending on aircraft) for entertainment.
Check-in
Hainan Airlines offers online check-in before departure, though passengers traveling with infants or requiring special services need to check in at the airport desk. International flight check-in availability varies, so it’s worth checking the airline’s website for your specific route. These desks are for all passengers, with a dedicated line for business class travelers (as well as Fortune Wings Club Platinum, Gold, and Silver members).
Many cities support a mobile digital boarding pass through Hainan’s “paperless travel” service, including Beijing (PEK), Haikou (HAK), Changsha (CSX), Guangzhou (CAN), Xi’an (XIY), Chengdu (CTU), Kunming (KMG), Taipei Taoyuan (TPE), and Tokyo Haneda (HND), but others require a printed copy. It’s always worth double-checking online before traveling to make sure you arrive prepared. In my experience, these rules are often different when you least expect it, so when traveling around smaller cities in China I take a paper copy just in case.
Also, if you’re traveling with an infant or need additional assistance, regardless of where you’re flying to, you’ll need to check in at the check-in desk. Hainan Airlines also has self-service check-in kiosks in Beijing (PEK), Haikou (HAK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG), while in Haikou they also have self-service baggage drop-off counters at Terminal 2, specifically located at counters 03-08 in check-in area E.
Boarding procedures
The boarding process at Hainan Airlines is straightforward. They board passengers who might need extra time first (like anyone with disabilities or those traveling with children), then business class passengers and loyalty program members. This is followed by those in premium economy and, lastly, economy passengers.
Meals on board
Business class features gourmet menus on all flights, with some dishes created by star chefs. Long-haul flights over eight hours include two meal services served on bone china with fine cutlery. You can choose Western cuisine, but I always opt for the authentic Chinese dishes.
You can also choose from their express menu, where all the food comes at once and you can more easily carry on with whatever you were doing. Hainan’s menus are always changing and vary depending on the route, but think dumplings, soups and regional vegetables.
Premium economy and economy both offer meals, though not to the same high standard as business class. If the flight is over eight hours, there are two meal services with a choice of ‘Western cuisine’ or Chinese dishes.
Amenities in the sky
All three classes feature HD entertainment screens through the airline’s “Hai Studio” system, with movies, TV shows, games and music available on Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus 330 aircraft. Business class travelers get a well-stocked amenity kit (toothbrush, eye mask, earplugs, non-slip socks and fantastic skin products) plus blankets, pillows, slippers and pajamas. Premium economy and economy passengers can request pillows and blankets.
Hainan’s in-flight magazine, available in the seat back and in English, is called “High Above” and features stories on travel, culture and airline news.
Cabin crew
Hainan Airlines often wins awards for its friendly and professional staff. I love that the airline’s colors, True Love Red, Golden Dreams, and International Gray, are distinctively Chinese, and are complemented by the traditional nods in the flight attendants’ uniforms: Mandarin collars and Cheongsam-style dresses designed by Laurence Xu.
Lounges
Hainan Airlines provides access through the loyalty program to lounges across the world. The airline also has HNA Clubs and Fortune Wings Lounges for business class passengers and Fortune Wings Club Gold and Silver members (there’s also a partnership for these lounges with Alaska Airlines’ MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members).
At Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) in terminal 2, you’ll find the HNA Club. Designed by a Hong Kong designer, Liang Jinghua, the services here include private shower facilities, fantastic food options (I particularly appreciate the noodle station), lockers, printers and friendly staff members. They also have a domestic lounge here, near gate 33, with relaxation areas, massage areas, shower facilities and an efficient business center.
At Haikou Airport (HAK), on the 4th floor of the west side of Terminal 2, there’s the HNA Club. Here you’ll find an extensive selection of amenities, including a children’s area, a massage area, a nursing room, and great food options, plus a VIP box.
In Hangzhou, the HNA Club is located in terminal 3, with over ten functional areas including a reading area, a children’s activity area and plenty of dining options featuring “Twelve Hai Flavors” and local delicacies. Note that at some of these lounges they don’t call flights when they’re boarding, so it’s worth keeping a close eye on the boards.
Lastly, Hainan also offers exclusive VIP lounges (HNA Club or Fortune Wings Lounge) in Beijing, Xi’an, Haikou, Taiyuan, Hangzhou, Urumqi, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. These feature functional areas such as tea bars or tea ceremony areas, specialty catering with local seasonal delicacies and come at a hefty price.
Loyalty program
Hainan Airlines participates in the Fortune Wings Club, a global loyalty program that lets you earn and use rewards across multiple carriers. The Fortune Wings Club is the shared frequent flyer program for Hainan Airlines, Grand China Air, Tianjin Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Lucky Air, Capital Airlines, Fuzhou Airlines, Suparna Airlines, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines, Urumqi Airlines, Air Changan, and West Air.
This is a great program if you’re a frequent flyer around China. I joined years ago with Hong Kong Airlines and often use their special deals when I’m traveling in China. The grouping of airlines gives you access to various elite privileges including upgrade vouchers and lounge access.
There are several different tiers, which each come with a card upon achievement of a set number of Status Qualifying Points (SQPs) with the airlines. These start with the standard Fortune Wings membership when you join, moving on to Select Card (5,000 SQPs), Silver Card (30,000 SQPs), Gold Card (50,000 SQPs), and Platinum Card (100,000 SQPs). Each tier offers its own benefits, which range from lounge access to priority upgrades to business class.
Changes and cancellations
With Hainan Airlines, the change and cancellation fees vary depending on the route and class of service booked. But they do offer the standard 24-hour rule, where you can cancel within the first day of booking. The fees Hainan Airlines charges for changes and cancellations are high, so I’d make sure you’re 100% certain of your plans before booking, or take out travel insurance beforehand.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others. Find more perspectives in our user reviews below.
