Hainan Airlines

Not Verified | As per a previous review on checkin was advised that bags could only be sent as far as Haikou. At that point I would have to enter China, collect baggage then checkin for BKK flight. And that's despite both flights being on a single ticket. Upon arrival then had issues at passport control. They wanted evidence of my 2nd flight. The print out I had on me simply said SYD / BKK. And had no wifi access. Eventually was allowed in. The flights themselves were great. Relatively modern planes with attentive flight attendants. 1-2-1 in business on the A330 and 2-2 on the 737. Western food options on the way over. Very much Chinese on the way back. For the price I paid it was a great option but 15-17hrs to BKK instead of 9 hours might turn others off.

✅ Trip Verified | Excellent service. Nothing to complain. They've served an excellent food during the 4h long flight and was delicious. All the flight attendants were polite and worried about the cleanliness and support all the passengers aboard. There aren't delays and the luggage have arrived perfectly fine. A+ Grade!

✅ Trip Verified | Return leg, 787-9 was an older model configured 2-2-2 in Business, about half full. Actually the seating is better than the 1-2-1 configuration as you have more feet room. Food was really good especially the Salmon, Cod and Prawn ceviche, a true delight. The bed was comfortable and the service attentive, movie choice the same as going out, 4 days previous. One criticism is that priority bags do not come out first, I awaited 45 mins for my bag to arrive, and nearly missed my connection, although arriving at 4.50 and a departure on next flight at 7.20. The second leg on older plane, entertainment system not working at all. Breakfast and service was good, arrived on time and again no priority bags first. This is one area they need to work on. Hence Ground service only 3 star.

✅ Trip Verified | First time I have ever used this airline. Service was impeccable on the plane, Business class 1 2 1 configuration. Pyjamas given. The bed is fully flat with a mattress and duvet, comfortable. The food quality was excellent, with options of light meals when you want, Breakfast was a delight. The plane was fairly empty in business class, but service was attentive, Movies good selection not the best but good noise-cancelling Headphones. The Flight was on time, into Brussels. The lounge option is a bit weak in Shanghai, the view lounge is used in Brussels. Overall will use again.

✅ Trip Verified | At check in I discovered that I could not check my luggage to my final destination so that I had to go through Immigration in China purely so that I could collect my luggage and hang around the airport until I could check in my next flight. The flight was satisfactory and the Cabin staff were professional although their level of English was lower than needed, my food was quite ordinary with the menu generally focussed on Asian cuisine. Portion sizes were adequate. In Haikou my luggage was quickly off the plane. However there was quite a long transit time and nowhere for a Business Class passenger to wait before checking in for the final destination. Shortly after my arrival in Bangkok I received a message from the airline to say my return flight had been cancelled . Attempts to contact the airline were unsuccessful. Soon after that there was an email from the travel agent advising that I had now been booked on a flight that was leaving seven and a half hours earlier than planned and that my stopover would now be more than 14 hours. This meant I lost a day of my holiday though being stuck in an airport with no assistance or compensation from the airline. Some six days before departure from Bangkok I had a minor accident that required sutures and painkillers. Walking fifty metres was difficult. When I checked in I had to ask for a wheel chair and it took nearly an hour to arrive. The flight to Haikou was a little late departing and was uneventful. There was no IFE on the sector between Haikou and Bangkok. On arrival in Haikou a wheelchair met me at the plane and I taken through Immigration to the luggage carousel. For some reason the airline concluded that I had now recovered and didn't need the wheelchair and I was left to take my luggage from the carousel and my own devices until I could check in about 11 hours time. This is unacceptable as it became obvious that while I was sold a through ticket the airline acted as if I had bought a return ticket from Sydney to Haikou and then bought a second return ticket from Haikou to Bangkok. I was in a situation where I really needed help and yet the airline washed its hands of me. Flight cancellations can occur for a variety of reasons but when they occur passengers should receive some form of compensation (even if it was day use of a nearby hotel) for the inconvenience incurred. There was no attempt by the airline to provide any assistance. In the evening I was able to check in for my return to Australia. I was given a wheelchair at check in and taken to the lounge. As it was late in the evening there was little food or drink available in what I thought was a very ordinary lounge. WiFi was difficult, more a result of Chinese Government policy. IFE range of films was poor and the food was also poor. The plane was more than 30 minutes late disembarking I was given a wheelchair which took me to the bus stop.

Not Verified | A satisfactory experience overall, the first leg slightly better than the second one. Clean modern aircraft, leg space ok, food better than average and service more than acceptable. For the fare I paid, I can have no real complaints. Would fly with this company again if the opportunity arose.

✅ Trip Verified | Reasonably good value airline but expect Chinese cultural expectations. Westerners usually like a glass of red wine on a flight to make it easier or relaxing but if you ask for a glass they will give you a 50ml measure, ask for more and they will think you will get drunk. (This was her words to me in Chinese on the flight Beijing -Manchester). Main meal food was quite reasonable, but don't expect any familiar western snacks like cheese as stated on the menu between service. Entertainment system also is mostly useless, my headphone sound quality bad, and video selection too. Bring your own entertainment. Transfer in Beijing requires re entry through immigration, no seamless transfer. The outward leg to china was better than the return, the return flight really did feel like all I had to do was sit and watch the plane map while sipping my orange juice.

✅ Trip Verified | My budget airline fare turned out to be a complete surprise, with full service and a fairly new A330-300 plane. The service, friendliness, and cleanliness are no less than those of Singapore Airlines.

✅ Trip Verified | When we originally booked we chose our seats online. When we checked in we were told the seats we had booked were given to someone else. We were told we were sitting separately and only way we could sit together was to pay £240 for the emergency exit seats, (even though somebody would have had to sit here anyway). When we got to Bejing, the 5 1/2 hour flight to Bangkok was then in a Ryanair style flight and again we were sat apart. Will never use this airline again. Better to fly via the Middle East. Better aircraft, better transfer, better food, better customer experience.

✅ Trip Verified | The service was simply outstanding on this, my first flight with Hainan Airlines. Very comfortable business class seat on B787, provided with plush Sofitel duvet and bedding beyond anything I have received on other airlines. Food was excellent, many courses and beautifully served. Cabin staff service was exceptional, friendly and very attentive, more than Singapore Airlines and seemed very genuine. Onboard entertainment was okay but lacking compared to many airlines. Look forward to further flights with this airline.