Hainan Airlines
A full-service Chinese carrier based in Hainan, operating an extensive domestic network and selected international services with multiple cabin classes.
About Hainan Airlines
Hainan Airlines was founded in 1993 and developed from a regional carrier into one of mainland China’s largest scheduled airlines. Its legal operating identity is Hainan Airlines, while its listed corporate parent is Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd. The company has retained the Hainan name and Haikou roots through changes affecting the wider HNA aviation group, including a court-led restructuring and the arrival of Liaoning Fangda Group as a strategic investor.
Haikou is the airline’s historical home base, but its network is distributed across several major Chinese airports. Beijing has the largest number of departures, followed by Guangzhou, Haikou, Xian and Shenzhen. Hainan Airlines operates 449 routes serving 83 destinations across 16 countries. Domestic flying is central to the schedule, linking cities such as Dalian, Changsha, Taiyuan, Hefei, Chongqing, Xiamen and Sanya, alongside selected international services.
Aircraft types associated with its operations include the Airbus A319, A320, A330 and A340 families, Boeing 737 variants, and Avro RJ85 and RJ100 regional aircraft. The airline’s wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft have supported longer routes, while narrow-body Airbus and Boeing jets are suited to domestic and regional flying. Cabin products vary by aircraft and route, with economy class offered throughout the network and business-class accommodation available on many larger aircraft and longer services.
Hainan Airlines does not belong to Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. Its loyalty programme is Fortune Wings Club, which is shared with several affiliated carriers and allows eligible members to earn and redeem points across participating airlines and partners. Status benefits may include priority airport services and additional baggage, depending on membership tier, operating carrier, route and fare conditions. Travellers should confirm eligibility when booking codeshare or partner-operated flights.
A notable strength is the breadth of Hainan Airlines’ domestic Chinese network, supported by important bases in northern, southern and island markets. This can make it useful for journeys combining a long-haul arrival with onward travel inside China. The distributed network can also be a challenge: schedules, aircraft and service standards may differ between routes, while international frequencies can be less extensive than those of China’s largest state-backed airline groups. Connection requirements should therefore be checked carefully.
Good to know
Flying with Hainan Airlines — what to expect
Multiple Main Bases
Hainan Airlines operates substantial schedules from Beijing, Guangzhou, Haikou, Xian and Shenzhen. Check the exact airport and terminal carefully when connecting in a city served by more than one airport.
Baggage Varies
Checked and cabin baggage entitlements depend on the fare, route and cabin booked. Review the allowance shown on your ticket, especially when connecting to a partner-operated flight.
Cabin Differences
Seat design and onboard amenities vary considerably between narrow-body domestic aircraft and wide-body aircraft used on longer journeys. Consult the aircraft and seat information for your specific flight.
Online Check-In
Online check-in availability can vary by departure airport and itinerary. International passengers should allow additional airport time for document checks even when online check-in is offered.
Fortune Wings Club
Fortune Wings Club members may earn points and receive tier benefits on eligible Hainan Airlines and participating partner flights. Accrual depends on the booking class, so discounted tickets may earn at a reduced rate.
Connection Planning
Domestic coverage is extensive, but frequencies and connection times vary by city. Leave a suitable buffer when transferring between separate tickets or changing airports.
Network overview
Where Hainan Airlines flies
Hainan Airlines operates 449 routes to 83 destinations across 16 countries, its longest sector reaching Chicago to Shanghai (11,333 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Hainan Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Chicago → Shanghai
11,333 km · ORD → PVG
The longest sector in the Hainan Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Hainan Airlines
Notable destinations on Hainan Airlines's network.
HUBeijingdirectHUGuangzhoudirectHUHaikoudirectHUXiandirectHUShenzhendirectHUDaliandirectHUChangshadirectHUTaiyuandirectHUHefeidirectHUChongqingdirectHUXiamendirectHUSanyadirectDestination list is indicative of Hainan Airlines's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
Reviews of Hainan Airlines
TripAdvisor · 2019–2023- 518
- 412
- 34
- 23
- 113
What travellers flew
Counted from the 50 reviews below — a tally of the flights reviewed, with each chip carrying the average score those reviewers gave. Nothing here reads their prose or summarises what they said.
✓ marks a group averaging 7/10 or better, − one averaging 4/10 or worse, across at least three reviews.
Superb service
Booked onto this return flight not knowing anything about this airline, what a surprise, service,food,flight was superb in every way , great staff, food was tasty and plentiful as were the drinks, loads of movies to watch and massive legroom. Highly… See more recommended
See lessPosted May 2023 by Ashley C
Flight to Beijing
Excellent service, helpful staff, pleasant lounge, easy access to the gate, comfortable seat, very quiet, great plane services. highly recommend the service
Posted July 2022 by Richard A, Barnard Castle
Refund URGENT NEED BEFORE VISA EXPIRES!!!
Refund URGENT NEED BEFORE VISA EXPIRES!!! I have been stuck in china since 22 April 2022, No help is given from Hainan Airlines! With the only message telling me they are busy processing my request. Means if they say no I would have waited for nothing and will… See more be taken to jail for this company's incompetence!!!!
See lessPosted April 2022 by Teboho
Still a comfortable airline to fly with
Despite the restructuring of HNA and the airline now part of another Chinese airline group, they manage to keep the good service more or less. The only markedly regression is the onboard meal, kind of fast food or no food. But this is a real issue for manny… See more airlines now with the covid health crisis.
See lessPosted October 2021 by Victor H, Shanghai
Terrible frequent flyer program
Mileage expires after 24 months of inactivity (in comparison to no expiration date set by Delta, United, Jetblue, etc.). Will never fly with Hainan Airlines again
Posted August 2020 by Malala
Long haul from Beijing to Mexico
Found this long haul deal to Mexico City via Skyscanner during the Christmas season. It was an extremely full flight probably because it is near the festive period. The downside was I couldn't check in via online check in which means that I had to sit… See more separately from my traveling mates. The seats and legroom were of similar levels to other economy airlines. There is inflight entertainment but the collection of movies are not as up to date or extensive compared to other commercial airlines. The screen also had occasional issues with the touchscreen and tends to have some lagging issues. The biggest issue I had was with the hygenie of the restrooms, it was barely into half the flight time and every single available cubicle were already of an unbearable standard. I literally wanted to retreat when I opened the door. The floor was wet and sticky and tissues were just thrown all over the floor. But it's an almost twelve hour flight so it is inevitable to avoid visits to the restrooms. However, I believe this is attributed more by the behavior of the passengers rather than the negligence of the crew. The crew were generally friendly and attentive to the passengers' needs. The flight stops at Tijuana for a fuel refill and you would need to clear the customs with your carry on luggage. The wait before you re-board the same plane is brief. Overall, the price is unbeatable for a long haul from china to mexico city. The toilet mess will probably be much more manageable during non peak seasons.
See lessPosted January 2020 by manda h, Singapore
Traveller reviews originally published on TripAdvisor, shown for reference — service standards may have changed since. Originfacts does not edit or verify individual reviews, and the sample reflects who chose to leave one.
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FAQ
Hainan Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Carry-on limits vary by cabin, route and ticket conditions. Passengers should check the allowance displayed in their booking and on Hainan Airlines’ official baggage page before departure.
- The longest Hainan Airlines route is Chicago to Shanghai, covering about 11,333 km nonstop.
- Fares are often lower outside major Chinese public holidays and peak summer travel periods. Comparing flexible dates and booking earlier for international journeys can improve the chances of finding a lower fare.
- Beijing is Hainan Airlines’ busiest departure hub by number of routes. Guangzhou, Haikou, Xian and Shenzhen are also major bases, while Haikou remains the airline’s historical home.
- The airline’s busiest departure hubs, ranked by route count, are Beijing, Guangzhou, Haikou, Xian and Shenzhen. The best departure point depends on the destination and travel date.
- Hainan Airlines serves exactly 83 destinations across 16 countries through a network of 449 routes.
- Hainan Airlines serves a broad domestic Chinese network and international markets across 16 countries. Its destinations include Beijing, Guangzhou, Haikou, Xian, Shenzhen, Dalian, Chongqing, Xiamen and Sanya.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.