Hainan Airlines is a Chinese airline headquartered in Haikou, China with a hub at Beijing Capital International Airport as well as Haikou Meilan International Airport. The airline is currently China's fourth-largest airline in terms of its fleet size, and also the 10th-largest airline in the whole of Asia for its passenger numbers. Hainan Airlines has won the Skytrax 5-star airline award since 2010, along with only 10 other airlines. In February 2016, the airline was also listed as one of World's Top 5 safest airlines by JACDEC.
The airline operates both scheduled domestic and international flights from Hainan and elsewhere on the mainland, in addition to charter services. In 2017, the airline completed its first intercontinental flight powered with biofuel. Find out more about airlines trying to reduce their environmental impact by reading about the world's most eco-friendly airlines.
The airline was originally established in 1989 as Hainan Province Airlines, and was renamed to its current form in 1996.
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Carry-on and checked baggage allowance vary depending on the route and fare class selected.
Passengers on domestic flights or flights to Luana / Maldives / Okinawa are allowed up to 4kg in cabin baggage. The cabin baggage must not exceed 20 x 40 x 55cm. If you're flying in Economy Class you're entitled to one item of carry-on baggage and if you're flying in Business or First Class you're entitled to two pieces of carry-on baggage.
Passengers on flights departing from the U.S. are allowed one item of hand luggage, which must not exceed 10kg in weight and 115cm in combined linear dimensions (length + width + height). In addition, passengers are allowed one personal item each. This can be items such as a laptop, wallet or a briefcase.
For all other international flights, passengers in economy class are allowed one item of carry on bag, or two items for passengers in first of business. Each item of hand baggage must not exceed 10kg or 115cm in combined linear dimensions (length + width + height).
Passengers in economy are allowed 2 x 23kg of checked baggage, and Business class passengers are allowed 2 x 32kg. The maximum dimensions for each item should not exceed 158cm (length + width + depth).
Passengers in economy are permitted 1 x 23kg, and those in business are permitted 2 x 23kg. The maximum dimensions for each item should not exceed 158cm (length + width + depth).
Those flying between Beijing to Abu Dhabi are permitted 40kg total checked baggage in business, or 30kg in economy. Each passenger is limited to 2 pieces, with each piece not weighing over 32kg and measuring no more than 40 x 60 x 100cm.
Those flying between Beijing and Luanda are allowed 50kg total checked baggage in business, or 40kg in economy. Each passenger is limited to 2 pieces, with each piece not weighing over 32kg and measuring no more than 40 x 60 x 100cm.
Passengers flying between China and Tel Aviv are permitted 2 x 32kg pieces of baggage, or 1 x 23kg in economy class. Each item must not measure any more than 158cm for combined linear dimensions (lenth + width + height).
For domestic flights within Mainland China, passengers are allowed a total of 30kg in Business or 20kg in Economy. Passengers are limited to a maximum of 2 pieces, with each piece limited to 40 x 60 x 100cm.
For flights between Mainland China and Taiwan or Southeast Asia, passengers are allowed 2 x 32kg in business or 1 x 23kg in economy. The maximum dimensions for each item should not exceed 158cm (length + width + depth).
For flights between China and Japan, passengers are allowed 1 x 32kg in business or 1 x 23kg in economy. The maximum dimensions for each item should not exceed 158cm (length + width + depth).
For flights between Mainland China and Australia or New Zealand, passengers are allowed 2 x 32kg in business or 2 x 23kg in economy. The maximum dimensions for each item should not exceed 158cm (length + width + depth).
For flights between China and Almaty, passengers are allowed 2 x 32kg in business or 1 x 32kg in economy. The maximum dimensions for each item should not exceed 158cm (length + width + depth).
Hainan offers economy and business class fares. As of April 2019, however, a premium economy class will be available on some flights in the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
As a SKYTRAX five-star airline, the airline has an Economy Class that provides friendly and comfortable services. The brand-new wide-body aircraft features comfortable space between seats; meticulously prepared Western and Chinese food will meet every taste you may have, and a large number of new films will keep you entertained throughout the entire journey.
The airline carefully selects its ingredients with the standards of an in-flight kitchen, offering you various Chinese and Western food. To alleviate your boredom on long journeys, the on-board entertainment system includes the latest and most popular films, music and even cloud magazines for you to read, bringing you pleasure and entertainment on your journey. To make your flight even more comfortable and convenient, the airlines has carefully selected a series of items for you to use, including soft and comfortable blankets and fluffy waist pillows, allowing you to relax your entire body and enjoy a splendid journey.
Ergonomically designed seats will make your journey more comfortable. The pitch on 787 and 330 series wide-body aircraft is 31-33 inches, allowing you to stretch out comfortably and enjoy an even more spacious and personal space on board.
As of April 2019, some flights on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will offer Premium Economy. The new premium economy cabin features 21 seats in a 2-3-2 layout, along with 13-inch high definition touchscreens screens.
Premium seats offer a 38-inch pitch, 22.5-inch seat width and 7-inch recline, along with a four-way adjustable headrest, three storage options for added comfort.
Enjoy a premium, seamless travel experience with Business Class, with upgraded travel services ranging from priority check-in, easy rebooking and refund to exclusive onboard catering provided by Michelin star Chefs.
Onboard: The airline chooses only fresh ingredients, which are prepared with great care to produce delicious Chinese food. Foods of many countries are carefully selected, allowing you to experience the taste of home above clouds. Hainan Airlines offers an in-flight entertainment system, you can catch up on your favourite TV shows and recent movies and stay entertained with their selection of interactive games and magazines. With the entertainment system, a BOSE noise-cancelling earphones will be provided to you.
Prior to boarding: You can enjoy your time in the VIP lounges operated solely by Hainan Airlines or jointly with other airlines making it easy for you to work and rest. The 5-star catering is enjoyed by guests within the lounges. A limousine airport transfer service is also provided to distinguished passengers who take Business Class on specified HU self-operated routes.
With more room and extra comfort you can Lie-Flat in a self reclinable 180-degree seats allowing you to sleep comfortably high in the sky and reach your destination feeling fully refreshed. Business-class seats are configured with USB ports and convenient reading lights satisfy your needs for work and reading during your trip.
There is currently no first-class onboard Hainan Airlines. To upgrade to a premium flying experience, select a Business class fare.
Enjoy a range of movies, television and music onboard your flight!
No matter where you're from, you'll find a TV show to suit you in the fantastic selection on offer. From BBC travel documentaries to American hit comedies every passenger will find something to enjoy with Hainan Airlines.
The airline regularly updates its movie selection to keep its entertainment content as fresh and exciting as possible for its passengers. To find out the movie selection for this month, please visit the Hainan Airlines website.
WiFi will be provided on some flights, dependent on the type of aircraft you are flying on (787-9). Hainan Airlines wifi is completely free, and will allow you to check and reply to emails, scroll through social media and even support streaming of films or TV on providers such as Netflix.
Hainan Airlines offers a variety of different food and drinks onboard. Your meal options will depend on the cabin class you fly in.
Meals in economy are always prepared with fresh ingredients, creating menus which are delicious and have taken inspiration for cuisines around the world.
Passengers flying on a short-haul flight of around 3 hours in economy will get a meal service comprising salad, main course and dessert. Passengers on longer-haul flights of more than 7 hours will typically receive at least two meal services, with a choice of courses to choose from. The choice of mains will typically be between two Chinese dishes and one Western dish.
Passengers can enjoy gourmet dishes on both long and short-haul flights when travelling in business class. On short-haul flights of around 3 hours, passengers will enjoy the elegant and healthy meal service with Hainan Airlines. A meal typically consists of an appetizer, main course and desserts, with main course choices from Chinese and Western cuisines. On long-haul flights longer than 7 hours, passengers can enjoy two meal services, each served on elegant china and with fine cutlery, adding to the premium dining experience. Passengers will get the choice from four main course options
Special meals must be ordered at least 24 hours before flying (48 hours for Kosher meals), which can be done by contacting the airline directly. The following meals can be ordered for the plane:
Passengers in economy can enjoy a wide selection of drinks, from cocktails, wines, spirits and also soft drinks such as fruit juices, tea and coffee.
Hainan Airlines passengers can check in online 42 hours prior to the flight departure time. If you're unable to check in online you can check in at the airport.
You can check-in online through our online check-in page. Simply click on the logo to access the Hainan Airlines online check-in page and enter your flight details. For the majority of flights, online check-in opens 42 hours before flight departure time and closes one hour before.
Passengers can also check-in at the airport for their flights by heading to the Hainan Airlines check-in counter. This service will usually open 2 hours before the flight, however, this may be earlier or later depending on your departure airport so please check your booking confirmation and eTicket to work out what time you need to be at the airport.
Hainan Airlines operates a frequent flyer program called the Fortune Wings Club to reward regular passengers. Fortune Wings Club allows passengers to earn points by flying with any of the seven airline companies under the Hainan Airlines flagship: Grand China Air, Tianjin Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Lucky Air, Capital Airlines and Fuzhou Airlines. Fortune Wings Club is a worldwide incentive program targeting at frequent flyers, to help with accelerating your dream of a free flight.
Hainan is not currently part of any airline alliance, but is expected to join one by 2022. In addition, Hainan Airlines already has alliances in the form of codeshare agreements with a number of airlines such as Czech Airlines, Uni Air, Azul Brazillian Airlines, Alitalia and Suparna Airlines.
British Airways only offer a small number of special services on board their aircraft.
The airline allows dogs and cats to be carried in an approved cargo crate. All animals being transported must have a certificate of good health. Pets are not permitted to travel in the aircraft cabin. Learn more about transporting pets here.
Airport assistance and onboard wheelchair reservations can be made. To do so, contact the Hainan Airlines office at least 24 hours before travelling letting them know you require mobility assistance.
When flying with a baby, the airline will help you by allowing you to carry a baby cradle free of charge and enjoy priority boarding onto the plane. In addition, there are baby changing facilities onboard, and facilities for milk preparation onboard. Contact the airline in advance of travelling to arrange these extra services.
Hainan Airlines can provide an unaccompanied minor service if requested in advance. This will involve getting your child safely through the airport and onto the plane, and also take care of them during the flight and at the destination airport.
Hainan Airlines serves the following domestic destinations to many different regions across China, and also international destinations in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Please click on the logos below to find out more about airlines that fly similar routes to Hainan Airlines:
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Beijing Capital Airport is one of three hubs for Hainan Airlines. It is the main international airport which serves Beijing, and is currently the busiest airport in Asia and also the second-busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic. The airport is also a hub for Air China, China Southern and China Eastern, but operates flights to destinations around the globe with airlines such as Cambodia Angkor Air, Air Canada, United Airlines and NordStar Airlines.
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Correct as of September 2019, the following table summarises the current state of the Hainan Airlines fleet, showing those both in service and on order. There is currently 238 aircraft in use, with an additional 75 on order.
15 August 2019
The airline has announced a new route between Haikou (HAK) – Mandalay (MDL), Myanmar, on the Boeing 737-800 aircraft twice weekly.