Hainan Airlines is an airline based in Hainan, China, which is the largest special economy zone in the country. It is also the largest air transport company in the country that is privately owned. It was established in 1989 and was originally known as Hainan Province Airlines. In 1993, it became the first joint-stock air transport enterprise in China and was then renamed Hainan Airlines. In 1998, it became the first Chinese airline to have share ownership in an airport, following its purchase of a 25% stake in Haikou Meilan International Airport.

The company behind Hainan Airlines, HNA group, also has investments in other airlines, including Beijing Capital Airlines, Lucky Air, Zest Airways, Tianjin Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, and Yangtze River Express.

Hainan Airlines is represented by a stylistic rendering of the golden Peng as its logo. This is laid in front of a red background. The golden Peng is a giant bird symbolizing ‘great accomplishments’ and is revered in Chinese mythology.

Fast Facts

• English name: Hainan Airlines
• Chinese name: 海南航空公司
• Main hubs: Beijing Capital International Airport, Haikou Meilan International Airport
• Focus cities: Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport
• Alliance member: n/a
• IATA code: HU
• ICAO code: CHH
• Call sign: CHINA HAINAN
• Headquarters: Hainan Airlines Co. Ltd., HNA Development Building, No. 7 Guoxing Road, Meilan District, Haikou, Hainan, China
• Frequent flyer program: Fortune Wings Club
• Official website: www.hnair.com
• Employee number: 65085

Introduction

Ranking

Hainan Airlines is the fourth largest airline in China in terms of fleet size. It recently surpassed Shenzhen Airlines, which used to be the fourth largest. Fleet size is considered as a valid approximation for all the other measurement parameters associated with a carrier including number of passengers carried and number of destinations served. It is still behind its main competitors, namely China Southern Airlines (currently the largest), Air China, and China Eastern Airlines.

Branches in China

Hainan Airlines has branches in various locations within China.

Offices around the world

Hainan Airlines operate in international offices.

Africa and Middle East

Asia Pacific

Canada

Europe

Russia

USA

Main flights

Its regular international flights fly from Beijing to the following destinations:

• Almaty
• Toronto
• Berlin
• Brussels
• Zurich
• Seattle
• Novosibirsk
• St. Petersburg
• Moscow
• Luanda (with transfer in Dubai)

Other routes include:

• Haikou to Taipei
• Urumqi to Astana
• Sanya to Seoul
• Haikou to Bangkok
• Hangzhou to Bangkok
• Dalian to Singapore (via Hefei)

Within China, Hainan regularly flies to:

• Beijing
• Xi’an
• Dalian
• Ningbo
• Guangzhou
• Taipei

Major routes include:

Other highlights

Hainan Airlines is also the first airline in China to be included in the seven 5-star airlines in the world as listed by Skytrax, which is an independent research firm and largest review and ranking site for the airport and airline industry. The carrier has over 3,000,000 accident-free flight hours since it was established in 1993.  This makes the airline one of the most popular in China, even though it is not the largest, and its accident-free record, which it has so far maintained for 18 consecutive years, is certainly a major driving force behind its popularity.

Hainan Airlines has also been credited for having the highest on-schedule flight records in the industry. The airline has also been continuously improving this record for the past 6 years.

Premium Economy Class

Hainan Airlines do not offer Premium Economy tickets.

Membership

Hainan Airlines has not joined a global airline alliance as of the moment, but it has already shown interest in becoming part of OneWorld.

Hainan Airlines expands its international reach mainly through codeshare agreements with several airlines including:

• Aerosvit Airlines
• Air Berlin, OneWorld member
• American Airlines, OneWorld member
• Brussels Airlines, Star Alliance member
• Etihad Airways
• EVA Air
• Hong Kong Express Airways
• Korean Air, SkyTeam member
• Rossiya Airlines
• Uni Air

Fleet and Destination

The Hainan Airlines fleet consists of 112 passenger aircraft including the following:

Airbus
A330-200, A330-300, A340-600
Boeing
737-300, 737-400, 737-700, 737-800, 787-8
COMAC
 C919
Dornier
 328

The aircrafts have an average age of 5.7 years. Its total fleet size is 113 plus an additional 33 orders.

Hainan Airlines has an order for 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a long-range modest-capacity jetliner. This is expected to significantly expand the airline’s operations. It is set to arrive anytime soon.

Hainan Airline’s entire fleet services 500 routes from Hainan, including both domestic and international. It also operates nine locations on the mainland, aside from its charter services. It currently has seven airline bases in some cities in China, including Beijing, Taiyuan, Urumqi, Guangzhou, Dalian, Shenzhen, and Lanzhou. It also has an extensive network of flights that connect Asia to Europe, Africa, and America. All in all, it flies to more than 90 cities.

Luggage Allowance

Carry-on luggage

Domestic routes

Each passenger is allowed to bring one carry-on luggage per person; it should only weigh up to a maximum of 5 kgs. or 11.01 lbs. First and business class passengers have to meet the same weight requirement but can distribute the weight to two pieces of luggage. All carry-on luggage, regardless of class, should be within the following dimensions: 55cm (H) x 40cm (W) x 20cm (D).

China to USA route

Each passenger on the China to USA route is allowed to carry one piece of luggage into the aircraft. This should be within 10 kgs in weight and 115cm in overall size (H + W + D). The luggage should be stored in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of the passenger.

Other International routes

Passengers on international routes’ first and business class can carry two pieces of carry-on luggage per person, with a total weight limit of 10 kgs. The dimensions should be only up to 55cm (H) x 40cm (W) x 20cm (D). However, passengers who are transferring to an Alitalia flight have to meet the following dimensions: 55cm (H) x 35cm (w) x 25cm (D).

Checked luggage

Mainland China routes

Passengers on a route within Mainland China are allowed to check in two pieces of luggage for free, as long as the luggage meet the weight limits:

• Economy class – 20 kgs
• Fortune Wings Club member – additional 20 for Gold card members and additional 10 for Silver card members
• Infant passengers – 10 kgs, plus optional checked baby stroller or cradle, free of charge

Regional routes

Passengers on regional routes to Taiwan and Hong Kong are allowed to check in two pieces of luggage each. The following weight limits apply:
• Economy class – 20 kgs
• Fortune Wings Club member - additional 20 for Gold card members and additional 10 for Silver card members
• Infant passengers – 10 kgs checked luggage plus free baby stroller or cradle check in

International routes

Passengers on international Hainan Airlines flights can check in their luggage for convenience. However, the limitations on the allowable weight differ from continent to continent, so it is best to double-check with the airline prior to departure. The Hainan Airlines official website may also have a complete listing that passengers may refer to.

In-Flight Food

Hainan Airlines serves two kinds of meals for first and business class passengers: one Western and one Chinese dish. These are accompanied by desserts and beverages.

Economy class passengers are provided with standard yet internationalized Chinese fare, while beverages are limited to juice, coffee, tea, and hot or cold water. On some flights, special meals for children are available onboard even without prior request. However, if passengers have special dietary needs, they may request for vegetarian, HALAL, or other special meals as long as they make a reservation 48 hours prior to departure.

Special Services

Wheelchair service

Hainan Airlines offers complimentary wheelchair for airports and within the flight, but tickets should be purchased at least 48 hours prior to departure. They, however, are asked to present a health certificate issued by a physician. This should be issued within 72 hours prior to flight departure. This certifies that the bearer is in good enough health to travel by air. This is required before a complimentary wheelchair will be issued.

Passengers may also bring their wheelchairs into the flight, but they should also purchase their tickets at least 48 hours in advance.

Pregnant service

Pregnant passengers who are less than 34 weeks pregnant may travel as ordinary passengers, but if she is between the 34th and 36th weeks of pregnancy, she is required to present a health certificate issued by a licensed physician within 72 hours prior to flight departure. Pregnant women beyond 36 weeks of pregnancy are not allowed to travel on Hainan Airlines flights.

Frequent Flyer Program

Hainan Airlines’ frequent flyer program is the Fortune Wings Club, which it shares with its subsidiaries namely Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express Airways, Lucky Air, and China West Air. It is therefore possible for passengers to collect miles for Fortune Wings Club from all these airlines as well as from airlines that have codeshare agreements with Hainan Airlines. Members of the program can also earn miles by using their Hainan Airlines credit card.

Once a sufficient number of miles have been collected, members can be upgraded to Elite membership, which has two tiers, each with added benefits:

Gold
• Extra bonus miles +50%
• Priority in bookings and wait listing
• Guaranteed full price economy class ticket 48 hours before departure
• Free refund of Hainan Airlines flights before flight departure
• Check-in at First Class counter
• Extra baggage allowance of 20 kg or 1 piece
• First class lounge access
Silver
• Extra bonus miles +25%
• Priority in bookings and wait listing
• Free refund of Hainan Airlines flights before flight departure
• Check-in at Business Class counter
• Extra baggage allowance of 10 kg or 1 piece
• Business class lounge access