HAINAN AIRLINES review : 5 July 2008 : by S Sadura

Customer Rating : 5/5

Two flights with Hainan Airlines (SHA-PEK-SHA) and both times an excellent experience. Friendly and accommodating FAs, clean airplanes and the scratch lottery! Food was average, but being used to flying within the US, you know what I am saying! Hainan is my favorite Chinese airline.

Hainan Airlines review by Alice Liu

28 March 2008  Customer Trip Rating :

I fly Hainan Airlines from Xi'an to Haikou. FAs are friendly. I think it is the best internal Chinese airline. I can always get a special offer because I am a member of Hainan Airlines' Jinpeng Club.

Hainan Airlines review by Barbara Licata

6 September 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

Flew to Sanya from Beijing return, flight was fine. However, in Sanya airport, Hainan had a weight restriction of 15 kg per bag. There was not this weight restriction going to Hainan, only in leaving Hainan. This weight limit is extremely low as our golf bag was even overweight, as well as each piece of luggage, and the fee was expensive. This left a "bitter taste in our mouths."

Hainan Airlines review by Stephan Wirtz

11 June 2007  Customer Trip Rating :

The airline provided an excellent inflight experience from Qusisihara, nothwest of Harbin to Beijing early in the morning. Attentive service, clear english and the crew operated in avery professional manner.

Hainan Airlines review by Andrew Wright

15 April 2007   Customer Trip Rating : n/a

Beijing to Xian on an A319 badged as Chang'an Airlines. Clean cabin, decent legroom and reasonably comfortable. We were given a boxed meal of either noodles or rice, a bun and pickles. I found the meal inedible. The meal was served right through seatbelt signed turbulence. English announcements were frequently unintelligible. An unremarkable flight that got us to our destination with the minimum of fuss.

Hainan Airlines review by J Busman
29 March 2007

Beijing to Brussels in business. Departure time 1.20 am which is an unconfortable time especially when there are delays. FAs friendly but not experienced. It took them a long time to serve the passengers with some drink / food. cabin was only half full and there were more than enough FAs present. My question:"" double whiskey on the rocks"" was not understood by all 3 FAs. After explaining it by means of showing the name whiskey on the menu, it took another 10 minutes to bring it. The seats in the business class looked OK, however the back of the seat could only be reclined a bit. I will not fly with them anymore for those long flights. Prefer to pay more for a good seat.

Hainan Airlines review by Howard Rutz
1 February 2007

PEK-TYN twice in last two months. 737-800 and 737-400, both all economy class. Check in at Beijing very crowded but lines moved quickly. Chinese customers don't seem to mind cutting into line or being cut in front of but it was a bit irritating to my western sensibilities. Both flights loaded on time with standard Chinese mass boarding. Flights were full and the airtime was only about an hour but drinks and a small packaged snack was provided. FAs worked hard and got the service done fast. FAs well presented. Planes clean and it was impossible to note that the 400 series was any older. Seats were crowded but no more so than any other low fare airline. All in all I had a very good experience on both flights. The best internal Chinese airline I have experienced.

Hainan Airlines review by L Shaojun
7 December 2006

BRU-PEK-BRU on 737-300. Lots of space on both flights, so I had 3 adjoining seats to sleep during the night. BRU-PEK lots of noise during the night from chatting/card playing Chinese. PEK-BRU was quiet during the night. It would help if the lights are more dimmed during the night, to encourage passengers to sleep. The food is very basic (served in one time). The staff is friendly. Departure on time, return flight half an hour late. The plane does not look very new (although quite recent) due to the colour of the seats (red-brown) and the opened up economy class (no interior divisions ), so it looks like the interior of a bus. The quality of the video system can improve (limited movie choice, lots of white lines - interruptions). I noticed my miles were after 2 weeks not yet added to my SN account, so this can improve as well. Overall, due to the time gain and low attendance (3 seats to sleep - fast check ) an acceptable alternative to Air France or KLM.

Hainan Airlines review by J Liu
5 July 2006

PEK-SHA on a B767-300. The widebody aircraft with plush leather seats in economy was a pleasant surprise. FA's dressed in tropical-theme uniforms added to the ambience. However, their attempt to serve a full meal and drinks on a short flight resulted in a hurried, robotic affair. To their credit, the flight attendants worked very hard to satisfy a loud and unreasonably complaining passenger in the row ahead of us. Give them an extra star for the effort, and consider Hainan Airlines a cut above typical Chinese carriers.

Hainan Airlines review by Bob Gatecliffe
6 May 2006

My first try at Hainan Airlines. My first flight was from Shanghai to Xi'an in First Class. In Shanghai the airline flies out of Pudong International so be aware it takes time to get Pudong airport. Check in was not too much of a hassle apart from trying find the check in desk and it being closed without any English explanation as to who, where and how? Only two desks, one for First and the other for Economy. For the average Chinese passenger they don't care which line they stand in. The First lounges are shared and in China are very basic when compared to other places but are quiet, clean and you are out of the chaos that can be evident at some airports. Boarding was the Chinese version of orderly - chaotic. The First seats are basic with few creature comforts and are basically a good airlines Business Class seat. The FA's were terrific and did an excellent job. Food was very average, and just edible. The toilets were clean and stocked. One major positive we took off on time and landed on time, which for a Chinese airline is a big plus. Overall my expectations were not high, so I was not overly disappointed. My next flight is a different story. Xi'an to Guangzhou on flight HU7847 in Economy as there was no Business Class or First Class on this flight. Chaotic boarding and to my dismay the flight almost full as we were a stop off point from its original departure point. The seating was terrible with absolutely no leg room. I had to sit in a twisted position which was unbelievably uncomfortable and in the process put my neck and back out. It was for me a journey in hell. I have witnessed and travelled in some cramped seating before but never like this. For the average 5' nothing person it would not be a problem but for a 6' average build Westerner it is a major problem. Be aware that if you are built like me then you will have a problem. The FA's were ok, the food - best not comment and the toilets - truly, truly disgusting. I really did not blame the FA's for not attempting to clean them - I would have been sick. A terrible experience and departed late and arrived late. I have never been so pleased to get off a flight before.

Hainan Airlines review by R Ellis
5 March 2006

Sanya-Beijing on a brand new B737-800. Standard seat pitch at 30 inches. Seats in upright position quite uncomfortable. FA's friendly, professional, good English skills. Regular drink runs, followed by hot meal service (rice or noodle), followed by more drink runs. Economy class has two toilets in rear. Single aisle aircraft not conducive to drink runs and toilet queuing passengers. Flight landed Beijing on time. No drama or problems onboard.

Hainan Airlines review by Yves Baert
12 November 2005

SYX to PVG. Cabin crew were friendly and spoke English quite well. Chinese airlines aren't exactly known for customer service and punctuality. I thought the food was quite ok too. Was glad to get some food. Some Chinese airlines, depending on the time of day, only offer you a bag of peanuts and one drink. The only thing that bothered me on this flight was the seat. I had no room whatsoever. I'm quite a tall person and even sitting fully upright my knees were still pressed into the seat in front of me. It reminded me of Virgin Express. Though, in all honesty, I must add that the cabin crew tried to find me a seat where I would be more comfortable. Hainan Airlines seems to be better than most other Chinese airlines in terms of service. It's just a pity that seat quality does not match that.

Hainan Airlines review by  Pierre Chevalier
21 October 2005

PEK-SHA, Economy Class. This was my first China domestic flight. As the ticket was rather cheap, I was not expecting too much. Except the rather old aircraft (B737-400), I was positively surprised, especially by the nice and professional crew members. I particularly enjoyed the Chinese touch when the flight attendants together greet the passengers in front of the cabin. Despite of the short flying time, we were served a hot meal. Even though food was average, it's always nice to have. No reading material in English, I wonder if they have another onboard magazine for their PEK - BUD flights? Overall a positive experience, I would recommend Hainan Airlines.

Hainan Airlines review by  Barry Chapman
2 October 2005

We flew Yichang to Beijing with Hainan (who I admit I had never heard of) and we were more that satisfied with the service. Yichang airport was hell on earth but that is beyond Hainans control. As the only westerners on the flight it seemed that the cabin crew were determined to make sure we were well looked after. My recommendation ? Use them, they are good.

Hainan Airlines review by  M Levin
1 September 2005

Beijing - Dalian, First Class. Checking in easy and swift. The staff was nice and the old 737-400 left at 1:45 PM. The cabin crew made it a point to give me, the only westener on the aircraft, what reading material they had in English. The safety demo was done both in Chinese and English and all PA's were in both Chinese and English. On the short one hour flight they had a cold lunch and drinks. It was very strange to see on a domestic Chinese flight everyone staying seated after the aircraft was parked at the hardstand and the seat belt sign was turned off. Hainan Airlines is the best choice for domestic travel in China. The service and safety record are far above every other carrier in China.

Hainan Airlines review by  Carolyn Woods
25 July 2005

Have recently returned from three weeks in China which involved five flights with chinese airlines. The first three were with Hainan (Xiamen to Xi'an, Xi'an to Beijing and Beijing to Shen Yang). All three flights took off and landed spot on time. Flight attendants were well presented and courteous. On the first flight we were even offered an english language newspaper. They were definitely the best of the chinese airlines we few with (others were China Eastern and China Southern).

Hainan Airlines review by  Pierre Pollet

5 January 2005

I travelled with Hainan Airlines last week Xi'an to Tianjin and I enjoyed comfort and punctuality of Hainan Airlines. Also the ticket price was quite profitable. I can agree with choosing Hainan Airlines.

Hainan Airlines review by  Shiqian Chen

5 August 2004

When going on business or personal trips in China, I tried to fly Hainan Airlines anywhere it has routes. It has higher quality of service, professionalism, and staff courtesy than other airlines within China. Another plus is that the Hainan Airlines have a complete service line where travel agency, hotel, and car rental were integrated in a streamlined booking process. My only complaint is that they do not have enough international flights - to date, only Seoul, Nagoya, and Budapest.

Hainan Airlines review by  G Chew

2 December 2003

Xian to Chongqing on a B737. The service was far superior to China Southern and Air China. The seats were comfy, and there was a full hot meal on a one hour flight. The crew spoke ok English, but very very polite and smart. The flight kept to the schedule, and the bags were waiting for us when we got to the baggage hall. No nonsense, good value flight. A breath of fresh air in the Chinese aviation market.
 

IMPORTANT NOTE

Comments and opinions contained in these pages do not represent the views of Skytrax. All features contain unsolicited input from site visitors, and we seek to exercise the minimum level of editorial control and censorship to ensure the widest debate and platform for customer opinions. We will not publish submissions that contain abusive language. We cannot guarantee to publish all opinions submitted.

ADD YOUR COMMENTS HERE

  These Review pages are designed to offer guidance and assistance to other travellers, and we ask respondents to use an "informative" style of comment and share any travel tips for the airline  in question.

  Your First Name (or initial) and Family Name, and E-mail address MUST be supplied.

  When submitting comments, please DO NOT insert paragraphs.

  Please check you use Upper and Lower case only - submissions made all in CAPITALS will NOT be accepted.

  Comment submissions that require extensive text editing CANNOT be published.