Hainan Airlines Review - Flight Ratings

Hainan Airlines review, an overview

Hainan Airlines isn’t well known outside Asia, but it is one of the best for service and standards. It is part of the HNA Group, a Fortune Global 500 company with interests in logistics, tourism and financial services, and the airline aims to give customers the very best, by most accounts, successfully. Hainan is the only 5-star Chinese airline in the world according to Skytrax, the British firm that rates the industry, and that rating is no accident.

Flying is rarely most people’s idea of a good time, the queues, luggage fees, layovers and prices can turn a trip into a slog. Hainan is one of the fastest-growing carriers on the planet, and it’s easy to see why: strong in-flight entertainment, comfortable seating and affordable fares make the journey far more pleasant.

The pros of Hainan Airlines

• Baggage policy: Allowances are weight-based and vary by cabin: 44 pounds in economy, 66 in business and 88 in first class.
• Several ways to check in: Online, via self-service kiosks, at airport desks or through your phone, so you spend less time in line.
• Friendly, multilingual staff: Crew are warm and many speak several languages, keeping communication smooth.
• Cheap tickets: Most routes undercut rival airlines, and on domestic flights Hainan is frequently the best-priced option.
• Frequent-flyer programme worth using: The Fortune Wings Club lets you earn miles on Hainan and partners like Alaska and Virgin Australia; enough miles unlock Elite Member Status and its perks.
• A wall of awards: In around two decades Hainan has collected honours including Skytrax’s “Best Staff Service in China” and “Asia’s Best Business Class.”
• China’s first green airline: Much of the fleet runs on biofuel to cut aviation emissions.

The cons of Hainan Airlines

There is one recurring complaint: a smaller route network than the biggest carriers. That said, Hainan serves roughly 500 routes across North America, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, and adds new ones most months.

The bottom line

If you are travelling through Asia and Europe and want a cheap but high-quality flight, you can’t go wrong with Hainan. It is genuinely affordable and still has the creature comforts to land you in good spirits. We hope this review makes your decision easier. Safe travels.

Flying Hainan in to meet suppliers? Arrange a Chinese interpreter before you land so factory tours and price negotiations go as smoothly as the flight.