Find cheap Hainan Airlines flights

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), but it also has hubs at Beijing Capital International airport (PEK) and Xi’an Xianyang International airport (XIY).

When I was based in Hong Kong for a while, I used Hainan Airlines a lot to get around China, as they had the best 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.

Check-in

Hainan Airlines offers online check-in 23 hours before departure, but not for international flights. For those, you have to go to the airline’s check-in desks at the airport you’re flying from. These desks are for all passengers, with a dedicated line for business class travelers (as well as Elite members of the airline’s frequent flyer program, Fortune Wings Club).

Many cities support a mobile digital boarding pass, but others require a physical, printed out copy of the boarding pass. 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 new self-service kiosks in Beijing (PEK), Haikou (HAK) and Shanghai (PVG), while in Haikou they also have a baggage drop-off kiosk.

Boarding procedures

Hainan Airlines’ boarding process is simple and easy to follow. They board passengers who might need extra time first (that includes anyone with disabilities or those traveling with children), and then anyone in business class or with membership to their loyalty program. This is followed by those in premium economy and, lastly, economy passengers.

Lounges

Although Hainan Airlines provides access through its loyalty program to a whole set of lounges across the world, the airline also has its own for business class passengers and Fortune Wings Club Elite members (there’s also a partnership for these lounges with Alaska Airlines’ top tier 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 well-appointed showers, 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 massage areas, showers and a very efficient business center.

At Haikou Airport (HAK), in terminal 2 on the western side, there’s a domestic lounge, HNA Club. Here you’ll find a really 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 a reading area, zones for kids and plenty of dining options. 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 very exclusive VIP lounges in Guangzhou, Xi'an, Taiyuan, Urumqi, and Shenzhen. These feature tea tasting and ceremony areas, specialty catering and come at a hefty price.

Classes on board

Hainan Airlines has three classes of service: Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

Hainan Airlines’ entire fleet offers business class. Depending on which model of plane you’re flying, you’ll find the formation of seating arrangements vary. However, all their business class offerings feature 180-degree flat beds and come standard with storage areas, USB ports and electrical outlets, plus a 16 or 18-inch entertainment screen.

In premium economy, their ‘Collins MiQ seats’ have their own section on the plane with additional flight attendants and offer extra space between rows. These come with 38 inches of space, an adjustable headrest and a recline up to seven degrees. I really like this class, as these seats also have storage areas, 13-inch HD screens, waist support pillows, electrical outlets, USB ports and footrests.

Depending on the aircraft, economy class features seats with 32 inches of space and less recline on the seat, plus a smaller HD screen for entertainment.

Meals on board

Business class offers a chef-prepared menu for all flights, and some of the chefs even have a Michelin star or two to their name. For long haul flights over eight hours, those traveling business will receive two meal services – served on bone china with fine cutlery, no less. Although you can choose ‘Western cuisine’, I always opt for their perfectly-coursed 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 on Hainan offer entertainment on HD screens, including movies, TV shows, games and music. Business class travelers receive a well-stocked amenity kit with a toothbrush, an eye mask, earplugs, non-slip socks and some fantastic skin products. They also offer blankets, pillows, slippers and pyjamas. In premium economy and economy, pillows and blankets are available on request.

Hainan’s in-flight magazine, available in the seat back and in English, is called High Above and features stories on travel, culture and business.

Cabin crew

Hainan Airlines often wins awards for its friendly and professional staff. I love that the airline's colors – gold, red and gray – are distinctively Chinese, and are complemented by the traditional nods in the flight attendants’ uniforms: Mandarin collars and Cheongsam dresses.

Loyalty program

Hainan Airlines is part of a global loyalty program called the Fortune Wings Club – they don’t have their own dedicated program. But the benefit here is you can join and reap rewards across all the other members, which include: Hong Kong Airlines, West Air, Lucky Air, Capital Airlines, Grand China Air, Urumqi Airlines, Air Changan, Suparna Airlines, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines, Fuzhou Airlines and Tianjin Airlines.

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 extra baggage allowance and free upgrades, plus free changes on tickets.

There are several different tiers, which each come with a card upon achievement of a set number of miles flown (SQPs) with the airlines. These start with the standard Fortune Wings red when you join, moving on to Select (5,000 SQPs), Silver (30,000 SQPs), Gold (50,000 SQPs), and Platinum (100,000 SQPs). Each tier offers its own benefits, which range from boardroom access and 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 flight. 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.