Hainan AirlinesHU

Hainan Airlines is China's largest privately-owned airline and one of only a handful of airlines worldwide to hold a Skytrax 5-Star rating for over a decade (since 2011). Founded in 1993 on Hainan Island in southern China, the airline has grown from a regional carrier to an international operator serving more than 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

Part of the HNA Group, Hainan Airlines operates a modern fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Airbus A330s, and Boeing 737s. The airline is known for its distinctive Chinese-inspired service philosophy, blending traditional hospitality with contemporary premium products. Unlike the state-owned "Big Three" (Air China, China Eastern, China Southern), Hainan maintains independent operations and is not a member of any global alliance, though it has codeshare partnerships with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and other carriers.

Hainan Airlines carried over 30 million passengers in 2024, making it China's fourth-largest airline by passenger traffic.

Carry-On Allowance

Class	Pieces	Weight (total)	Dimensions
Economy	1 piece	10 kg (22 lbs)	55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)
Business	2 pieces	10 kg each	55 x 40 x 20 cm each
First	2 pieces	10 kg each	55 x 40 x 20 cm each

Note: Hainan's 10 kg carry-on allowance is more generous than most Chinese carriers (typically 5-7 kg). Small personal items (handbag, laptop bag) allowed in addition.

Checked Baggage - Domestic China

Domestic routes use the weight concept:

Class	Total Allowance
Economy	20 kg (44 lbs)
Business	30 kg (66 lbs)
First	40 kg (88 lbs)

Maximum per bag: 32 kg (70 lbs)

Checked Baggage - International (Americas)

Routes to/from North America use the piece concept:

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
First	3 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Checked Baggage - International (Other Routes)

Routes to Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other international destinations:

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece
Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
First	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Size Limit: 158 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions (length + width + height)

Elite Member Benefits

Status	Extra Allowance
Fortune Wings Silver	+10 kg domestic, +1 piece international
Fortune Wings Gold	+20 kg domestic, +1 piece international
Fortune Wings Platinum	+30 kg domestic, +2 pieces international
Fortune Wings Diamond	+40 kg domestic, +2 pieces international

Excess Baggage Fees

Domestic Routes:

Condition	Fee (CNY)	Fee (USD)
Per kg over allowance	15	~2

International Routes:

Condition	Fee (CNY)	Fee (USD)
Extra piece	1,500	~210
Overweight (23-32 kg)	1,000	~140
Oversized (159-203 cm)	1,000	~140

Important: Bags exceeding 32 kg (70 lbs) or 203 cm (80 in) linear dimensions cannot be checked as baggage—use cargo service instead.

Prepaid Baggage: Available through the website or app at a discount when purchased before check-in.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be boxed, handlebars/pedals removed
Car seat	Free
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/mobility aids	Free
Musical instruments (small)	Free as carry-on	If fits in overhead bin
Musical instruments (large)	Seat purchase	Or check in hard case

Fees as of January 2025. Hainan policies vary by route—verify at hainanairlines.com/baggage before traveling. 1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY.

Hainan Airlines has earned its Skytrax 5-Star rating through consistent attention to service quality across all cabin classes. The airline's Chinese-inspired hospitality emphasizes warmth and attentive care.

First Class

Available on Boeing 787-9 and select Airbus A330 aircraft:

Feature	Details
Configuration	1-2-1
Pitch	80" (203 cm)
Width	26" (66 cm)
Recline	180-degree lie-flat
Screen	18" HD touchscreen
Amenities	Salvatore Ferragamo amenity kit, premium bedding, slippers

First Class Highlights:

• Private suites with sliding doors on 787
• Chinese tea ceremony service
• Multi-course dining with Chinese and Western options
• Complimentary WiFi
• Direct aisle access from all seats

Business Class

Available on all long-haul widebody aircraft (787, A330):

Feature	787 Dreamliner	A330
Configuration	1-2-1	2-2-2 (older) / 1-2-1 (newer)
Pitch	72" (183 cm)	60-72"
Width	23" (58 cm)	20-23"
Recline	180-degree lie-flat	Lie-flat
Screen	15.4" HD	15"
Direct aisle	All seats (787)	Some aircraft

Business Class Amenities:

• Ferragamo amenity kits
• Turndown service with mattress pad, duvet, and pillow
• Premium noise-cancelling headphones
• Chinese tea and premium beverage service
• Multi-course meals with advance ordering on some routes

Economy Class

Feature	787 Dreamliner	A330	737
Configuration	3-3-3	2-4-2	3-3
Pitch	32" (81 cm)	31-32"	31"
Width	17.5" (44 cm)	18"	17"
Screen	9" touchscreen	9"	Streaming/overhead
Power	USB + AC	USB + AC	USB

Economy Class Features:

• Complimentary meals on all flights over 2 hours
• Complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Pillows and blankets provided
• Personal entertainment screens on long-haul

Entertainment

Feature	Details
System	"Sky Show" seatback entertainment
Content	100+ movies, TV shows, music
Languages	Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese
WiFi	Available on 787 fleet (paid)

Note: Entertainment selection includes both Chinese and international content. The 787 fleet has the newest systems with better selection.

Dining

Premium Cabins (First & Business):

• Multi-course meals featuring Chinese and Western cuisines
• Signature Hainan chicken rice available on many routes
• Chinese tea ceremony service
• Premium wines and spirits
• Snack bar available throughout flight

Economy Class:

• Complimentary hot meals on flights over 2 hours
• Choice of Chinese or Western dishes
• Complimentary beer, wine, and spirits
• Snacks and beverages throughout flight

Special Meals: Vegetarian, religious, and dietary requirement meals available—request at least 24 hours before departure.

Booking:

• Book directly on hainanairlines.com for best rebooking support during disruptions
• Business Class fares are often significantly cheaper than Western carriers on the same routes
• Compare Chinese site (hainanairlines.com.cn) pricing—sometimes lower but may require Chinese payment
• Sign up for Fortune Wings Club before booking to earn miles from the start

Baggage:

• 10 kg carry-on is more generous than other Chinese carriers—take advantage
• Prepay excess baggage online for discounts
• Domestic weight concept means you can spread weight across multiple bags freely
• Call ahead for unusual items (sports equipment, musical instruments)

At the Airport:

• Beijing PEK Terminal 1 is smaller and less crowded than Terminal 3
• Fortune Wings Gold and above get Business Class check-in
• Allow extra time at Chinese airports—security lines can be long
• Self-service kiosks are faster when available

In-Flight:

• 787 Dreamliner has the best hard product—check aircraft type when booking
• Request the Chinese meal option for authentic cuisine
• Business Class lie-flat seats are excellent value on overnight transpacific flights
• WiFi available on 787 but can be expensive—download content before boarding

Earning Miles:

• Fortune Wings has lower qualification thresholds than most programs
• Silver status (20,000 km) is achievable with 2-3 transpacific roundtrips
• Miles don't extend with activity—redeem before they expire
• Partner miles (Alaska) count toward earning, but not always toward status

Best Value Routes:

• China-US routes often priced lower than Big Three carriers
• Business Class to secondary Chinese cities can be very affordable
• One-stop connections via Beijing/Xi'an can save significantly

Common Issues:

• Website can be slow from outside China
• English customer service wait times longer than Chinese line
• Some online features only work on Chinese website
• Seat selection not always available at booking—check in early
• Credit card foreign transaction fees—consider cards with no FTF