Hainan Airlines (ICAO: CHH) is a prominent Chinese airline known for its extensive network and commitment to service quality.
Hainan Airlines was initially established as Hainan Province Airlines in October 1989, later becoming China's first joint-stock air transport company after its restructuring in January 1993. Scheduled services commenced in May 1993, and the airline was officially renamed Hainan Airlines in 1996.
The airline operates its main base out of Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) in Hainan, China. It also maintains significant hubs at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, and Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX). Hainan Airlines boasts a modern fleet of over 222 to 240 aircraft, including wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A330 (A330-200 and A330-300) and Boeing 787 Dreamliner (787-8 and 787-9), as well as narrow-body jets like the Boeing 737 (737-800), Embraer E190, and Airbus A350. The airline also has orders for the Comac C919.
Hainan Airlines has developed an extensive route network, encompassing nearly 500 domestic and international routes. It serves over 90 to 125 cities across China, Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. While Hainan Airlines is not a member of any of the major global airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld, it has established numerous codeshare agreements and partnerships to expand its reach. The airline offers various cabin classes, including Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Notably, Business Class on wide-body aircraft features comfortable flat-bed seats, luxury amenity kits, and high-quality catering. On long-haul flights, Economy Class provides ergonomically designed seats, complimentary meals, and personal entertainment systems. Additionally, Wi-Fi services are available on its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Hainan Airlines also operates its own airport lounges at its main hubs and focus cities.
Recent traveler reviews for Hainan Airlines highlight several positive aspects alongside some recurring complaints.
What Travelers Love:
Common Complaints:
Overall, the sentiment surrounding Hainan Airlines is largely positive, with many travelers recommending it, especially considering its competitive fares and the high quality of its onboard service. However, some aspects of ground operations and in-flight entertainment could be improved to enhance the overall traveler experience.
Hainan Airlines maintains a robust safety record, consistently recognized within the aviation industry. The airline has never experienced a fatal accident or a hull loss incident. In April 2024, it reached a significant milestone of over 10 million hours of continuous safe flight. Minor incidents recorded include a bird strike in November 2024, a cracked windshield in June 2020, and a smoke detector activation in November 2015.
The airline holds important regulatory certifications, having successfully passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) evaluation in 2011, which serves as a benchmark for global safety management. In April 2024, Hainan Airlines was awarded the "One-Star Diamond Award for Flight Safety" by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Furthermore, in 2021, Skytrax conferred upon Hainan Airlines the highest 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating, recognizing its stringent health and hygiene protocols.
Hainan Airlines operates a relatively young fleet, with an average age of 4.9 years as of 2017, contributing to its strong maintenance reputation. Based on available data, the airline's overall safety assessment is highly favorable. It has consistently been ranked among the world's safest airlines by respected organizations such as the German Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre (JACDEC), achieving the 3rd position in 2016 and 8th in 2014. As of February 2024, Airline Ratings awards Hainan Airlines a 7/7 safety rating.
The airline has received numerous safety awards and recognitions, including:
| Route | Destination | Flights | Distance | Aircraft | Last Seen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIN → HAK |
Haikou Meilan Int'l
Haikou
|
70 | 1358 mi | B738 | Nov 8, 2025 |
| DOY → DLC |
Dalian Zhoushuizi Int'l
Dalian
|
48 | 180 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| DOY → CAN |
Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l
Guangzhou
|
47 | 1029 mi | B738 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| XUZ → SZX |
Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
|
44 | 831 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PEK → HGH |
Hangzhou Xiaoshan Int'l
Hangzhou
|
42 | 715 mi | B738 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| PEK → XIY |
Xi'an Xianyang Int'l
Xi'an
|
42 | 581 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| TFU → CAN |
Guangzhou Baiyun Int'l
Guangzhou
|
37 | 726 mi | B732 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| PEK → HRB |
Harbin Taiping Int'l
Harbin
|
35 | 622 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CGO → SZX |
Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
|
31 | 822 mi | B738 | Dec 5, 2025 |
| RIZ → DLC |
Dalian Zhoushuizi Int'l
Dalian
|
30 | 275 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PEK → TFU |
Chengdu Tianfu Int'l
Chengdu
|
29 | 961 mi | B788 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| SZX → TFU |
Chengdu Tianfu Int'l
Chengdu
|
28 | 786 mi | B738 | Nov 10, 2025 |
| MEX → TIJ |
General Abelardo L. Rodriguez Int'l
Tijuana
|
28 | 1471 mi | B789 | Dec 9, 2025 |
| CKG → HAK |
Haikou Meilan Int'l
Haikou
|
27 | 718 mi | B738 | Nov 27, 2025 |
| CGO → HAK |
Haikou Meilan Int'l
Haikou
|
27 | 1030 mi | B733 | Nov 28, 2025 |
| PEK → BAR | Qionghai Bo'ao Airport | 27 | 1493 mi | B738 | Oct 31, 2025 |
| TFU → PEK |
Beijing Capital Int'l
Beijing
|
26 | 961 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| SHS → HAK |
Haikou Meilan Int'l
Haikou
|
26 | 727 mi | B738 | Dec 8, 2025 |
| LZH → XIY |
Xi'an Xianyang Int'l
Xi'an
|
25 | 709 mi | B738 | Dec 11, 2025 |
| YIH → PEK |
Beijing Capital Int'l
Beijing
|
25 | 712 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| RIZ → SZX |
Shenzhen Bao'an Int'l
Shenzhen
|
24 | 943 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| CAN → PEK |
Beijing Capital Int'l
Beijing
|
23 | 1170 mi | UNKNOWN | Dec 11, 2025 |
| KWL → XIY |
Xi'an Xianyang Int'l
Xi'an
|
23 | 643 mi | B738 | Dec 7, 2025 |
| SHS → SYX |
Sanya Phoenix Int'l
Hainan
|
22 | 851 mi | B738 | Dec 10, 2025 |
| PEK → URC |
Urumqi Diwopu Int'l
Urumqi
|
22 | 1512 mi | B738 | Nov 30, 2025 |
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.