Hainan Airlines

December 21 2013 flew Business Class SEA-PEK-BKK. Flew to SEA on American Airlines code share first class. Check-in with American was very busy and the luggage conveyor belt was broken at first class check-in. The agent knew nothing about Hainan but managed to check my bag through. Arrived in Seattle and went to the British Airlines Terraces lounge where I was told Hainan hasn't used the lounge for over 4 months and that their lounge was in the other terminal about twenty minute walk each way. The Hainan gate agent first said that she wouldn't recommend that I go to the lounge because of the distance but then wrote me out an invitation. The business seating on their A330 is 2-2-2 in two cabins. We were served snacks and non-alcoholic welcome drinks pre-departure. The seats are lay flat and they do make up the seats with pads sheets and a fluffy comforter. Additionally they offer pyjamas - nice touch. Although no menus were distributed and the English language skills of the flight attendants is very poor the food was good both Western and Asia selections. Beverage service and selection is extremely limited. It took over one hour after reaching cruising altitude before any beverages were served. The beverages on offer were extremely limited. One type of champagne white and red wine. No premium brands. Liquors were also extremely limited. Transfer in Beijing was horrible. Hainan ground agents told me that I had to clear immigration and customs and collect and recheck my check bag. While waiting a general service agent came up to me and in perfect English said that I should go to the departure counter as my bag would not be coming off. It was checked all the way through but Hainan agents are all too new to know this. The lounge on the website is not one that was offered. They only show the first class lounge and business class is contract hosted in a rather dated lounge. The only food on offer was soup or pastry and beverages were also limited. There was a shower facility with limited amenities. The A330 had the new staggered business class seating. Again no menus and the flight attendant English poor. No premium cocktails available only two types of beer one red wine and one white wine. No champagne. No Fast Track access provided. The fare was cheap but you get what you pay for. I will see if there is any difference with the return flight on the new Dreamliner.

Xi'an to Shenzen. Check-in quick. Done with mediocre English but enough to get it done. Only foreigner on board. Staff efficient at best. Food was pretty bad in general an "OK" flight to get from A-B but that is about it.

Flight was from Toronto to Beijing China and return. Good food good service poor seats. I have never sat on such an uncomfortable seat. Some seat backs would not stay upright. Duct tape on some seats and pocket was pulling apart where the magazines where stored. Airplane was a A340. Each flight was 13 hours. The seats need to be replaced.

Berlin - Bejing. A330 cabin was in fair condition but nothing special. Seat had a defect I could not adjust the backrest from the upright position the entertainment system was in poor condition but worked. Had a 1.5hr delay to Beijing connection flight to Hong Kong was cancelled. Only by chance we learned about the cancellation and a bus to a hotel. Until we were informed in the hotel that there will be a flight that night so driven back to the airport. Flight back worked well. Lesson learned never transit over China anymore taking a quality airline like Lufthansa Cathay BA and the long distance flight to HKG directly to the final destination.

Beijing to Toronto HU 7975 July 17 2013. Very uncomfortable seat too small. When the person in front reclined her seat it crushed my knees. The in-flight entertainment at my seat did not work on either flight of a round trip. The screens of several people around me did not work either.

Toronto - Beijing in Business with a family of 4. Airbus 340's interior is certainly showing its age. They double assigned one of our seats but this was fairly quickly resolved on board. Upon departure it was apparent that virtually 80% of all head sets were faulty. The 3 pin plug is in an impossible location and flight attendants had to perform incredible manoeuvres to plug in "new" headsets. Decent selection of movies but the image quality is poor and system keeps cutting out. It is worth noting that while the many online seat plan sites indicate that the business class seats offer power outlets this is not the case! Seats recline but as it is no lie flat bed those used to sleeping on their stomachs may find it hard to get some sleep. Flight attendants automatically refill your drinks which is nice. Dinner tray was served with starter and dessert pre-set and main courses were served separately. My tray was cleared prior to my main course being served which is nice but it meant my dessert was gone as well. All in all it was decent value for money but if your budget allows for full service business class I would not recommend Hainan Airlines.

Toronto to Shanghai return via Beijing. Travel dates supposed to be 17/06/2013 - 29/06/13. Departing plane was late and cost me my Shanghai Connection and one night. Return flight from Shanghai to Beijing was delayed 8 hours and cost me connection to Toronto on the 29. Incredibly they could not put me up on another connecting flight until July 3! To get this I had to stand in a 2.5 hr queue. I found the food on Hainan better than average legroom below average (I am 6'1"). My flight over had good movie selection but annoyingly bad sound. The plane was too hot.

Flew first class round trip. Flew on a highly discounted fare. Seat was similar to Thai and Lufthansa's A340-600 first class seat. This 340-600 is worn. Video was broken at my seat outbound. All AV is old and antiquated. Crew try to be very helpful. Food was delicious. Especially Chinese offering on return flight from Beijing. Beautifully presented. Helpful check-in at Beijing. If you book their free limo they meet you at curb side and escort you as far as immigration. Lounge at Beijing was good. Only person in the first class lounge. Overall good value for the money. Only $1400.00 more than business return. Well worth it for the extra space.

We had 2 hours to catch a connecting flight from Chengdu to Beijing to Seattle. We had to pick up our luggage at baggage claim in Beijing and then go to terminal 2 to get our prepaid ticket and check our bags and go through the detectors and get out to the correct gate. We probably would not have made it on time without the helpful Hainan Air attendant who walked with us through all of the afore mentioned stations and waited with us. With his help it took 1 hour and 20 minutes which gave us 40 minutes before take off and no stress. I will fly them on my next trip to Asia.

PEK to TXL Germany flight: HU489. Beyond my expectation. Aircraft was quite new the entertainment system is acceptable. Cabin crew are nice and smiled all the time checked the cabin every time I opened my eyes and one stewardess answered my questions attentively. Meals served hit the spot for economy. Inbound was as good as the outbound flight.