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China Express Airlines

ICAO: HXA IATA: G5 Active as of Jan 30, 2026

Airline Statistics

643

Active Routes

9269

Flight Observations

150

Unique Destinations

137

Origin Airports

505

Avg Route Distance (mi)

1750

Longest Route (mi)

0

Domestic Routes

100

International Routes

About China Express Airlines

**

Hainan Airlines (ICAO: HXA) is a prominent Chinese full-service carrier, headquartered in Haikou, Hainan, China. Established in October 1989 as Hainan Province Airlines, it became China's first joint-stock air transport company in January 1993, officially rebranding as Hainan Airlines in 1996. The airline operates from its main base at Haikou Meilan International Airport, with key hubs in cities such as Beijing-Capital, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Xi'an. It is recognized as the largest civilian-run air transport company and the fourth-largest airline in China by fleet size, also ranking among the top ten airlines in Asia by passengers carried.

Hainan Airlines boasts a modern fleet comprising approximately 222 to 240 aircraft, including a mix of narrow-body and wide-body planes. Its commonly operated aircraft include the Airbus A330, Boeing 787 Dreamliner for long-haul routes, and Boeing 737 for short and medium-haul flights. The fleet also includes Embraer E190 regional jets and newer Airbus A350, A319, A320neo, and A321neo aircraft, with orders for the Chinese-built Comac C919. The airline operates an extensive network of nearly 500 routes, serving over 90 to 120 domestic and international destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.

Hainan Airlines is not a member of any major global airline alliance like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, or Oneworld. However, it maintains individual partnerships with various airlines, including subsidiaries of its parent HNA Group, as well as notable carriers like Alaska Airlines, Virgin Australia, TAP Portugal, and Etihad Airways. It also operates its own frequent flyer program, the Fortune Wings Club. The airline offers distinct cabin classes: Business Class, Premium Economy Class (on some wide-body aircraft), and Economy Class. Business Class on long-haul flights is particularly noted for lie-flat seats, premium amenities (e.g., Bulgari kits), and high-quality catering, contributing to its status as a Skytrax 5-Star Airline.

Traveler Reviews

Summaries of recent traveler reviews indicate a generally positive, though mixed, sentiment towards Hainan Airlines. The airline is frequently praised for its service quality, particularly in premium cabins.

What Travelers Love:**

  • High-Quality Service: Many travelers commend the warm, attentive, and efficient service provided by the cabin crew.
  • Business Class Experience: Business Class is often highlighted for its comfortable lie-flat seats, quality amenity kits (including Bulgari products), and excellent catering, often described as comparable to First Class on other airlines.
  • In-flight Catering: Both Business and Economy class meals, offering a choice of Chinese or Western options, receive positive remarks for their quality and presentation.

Common Complaints:

  • Inconsistent Wi-Fi: While available on selected international flights, the speed of Wi-Fi can be slow, reflecting general Chinese airport Wi-Fi standards.
  • Lounge Crowding: Domestic First Class lounges, particularly at Beijing Capital International Airport, can become very busy during peak departure times.
  • Hard Product Variations: Some older aircraft or specific routes might offer a less modern "hard product" in economy compared to their newer wide-body aircraft, though upgrades are ongoing.

Overall, Hainan Airlines generally receives favorable reviews, particularly for its cabin service and premium offerings, which have earned it consistent Skytrax 5-Star ratings. While some operational aspects like Wi-Fi speed and lounge capacity can be areas for improvement, the airline maintains a strong reputation for passenger comfort and hospitality.

**

Safety Information

**

Hainan Airlines has a strong safety reputation, bolstered by consistent operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

  • Recent safety record and any notable incidents (or lack thereof): Detailed information on recent specific incidents is not prominently featured in public searches, suggesting a generally safe operational record. The airline has maintained a reputation for operational excellence.
  • Regulatory certifications (IOSA, FAA compliance, EU safety list status): Hainan Airlines has earned recognition for operational excellence and is a Skytrax 5-Star Airline, an accolade often associated with high operational standards, including safety. Specific mentions of IOSA or FAA compliance are not found in the provided search results, but as a major international carrier, it would operate under strict national and international aviation regulations.
  • Fleet age and maintenance reputation: The airline operates a modern fleet, with ongoing acquisitions of new aircraft like Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A350s, indicating a relatively modern fleet age. Hainan Airlines has been continuously expanding its international routes, which implies a fleet that meets international safety standards. In 2022, its fleet size was approximately 230 aircraft.
  • Overall safety assessment based on available data: Based on its continuous Skytrax 5-Star Airline rating for 14 consecutive years through 2025 and its extensive international operations, Hainan Airlines is generally assessed as a very safe airline. This rating considers various aspects of the airline, including safety protocols and operational standards.
  • Any safety awards or recognitions: While specific "safety awards" are not detailed, the airline has consistently been recognized as a Skytrax 5-Star Airline, an award that implicitly reflects high safety standards and operational quality. It has also received multiple awards for cabin service, which often aligns with overall operational excellence.
Compiled by AirportRoutes.com • Updated 2 months ago

Route Network Map

Click on any airport to see its routes

Most Popular Routes

XUZ → CKG
Xuzhou Guanyin International Airport → Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
693 miles
78 flights
A320
CIF → HET
Chifeng Yulong Airport → Hohhot Baita Int'l
374 miles
64 flights
A320
NZH → HET
Manzhouli Xijiao Airport → Hohhot Baita Int'l
659 miles
63 flights
CRJ9
63 flights
CRJ9
HET → AXF
Hohhot Baita International Airport → Alxa Left Banner Bayanhot Airport
362 miles
62 flights
CRJ9
ENY → CKG
Yan'an Nanniwan Airport → Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
507 miles
61 flights
A320
XIL → HET
Xilinhot Airport → Hohhot Baita Int'l
299 miles
59 flights
A320
59 flights
CRJ9
58 flights
CRJ9
58 flights
CRJ9

Top Destinations

CKG (ZUCK)
Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
959 flights
48 routes
HET (ZBHH)
Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
403 flights
20 routes
KRL (ZWKL)
Korla
Korla
258 flights
15 routes
TSN (ZBTJ)
Tianjin Binhai Int'l
Tianjin
232 flights
14 routes
AKU (ZWAK)
Aksu
Aksu
223 flights
12 routes
YIN (ZWYN)
Yining
Yining
223 flights
9 routes
TFU (ZUTF)
Chengdu Tianfu Int'l
Chengdu
221 flights
13 routes
KWE (ZUGY)
Guiyang Longdongbao
Guiyang
212 flights
16 routes
ACF (ZWAL)
Alaer Talimu
207 flights
7 routes
KRY (ZWKM)
Karamay
Karamay
206 flights
9 routes

Top Origin Airports

BAV (ZBOW)
Baotou Donghe Airport
Baotou
461 flights
14 routes
AKU (ZWAK)
Aksu Hongqipo Airport
Aksu (Onsu)
410 flights
15 routes
HMI (ZWHM)
Hami Airport
Hami
405 flights
13 routes
KRL (ZWKL)
Korla Licheng Airport
Korla
395 flights
18 routes
HET (ZBHH)
Hohhot Baita International Airport
Hohhot
392 flights
20 routes
JUZ (ZSJU)
Quzhou Airport
Quzhou (Kezheng)
375 flights
16 routes
ENY (ZLYA)
Yan'an Nanniwan Airport
Yan'an (Baota)
346 flights
11 routes
KHG (ZWSH)
Kashgar Laining International Airport
Kashgar
325 flights
10 routes
XIL (ZBXH)
Xilinhot Airport
Xilinhot
306 flights
13 routes
BPL (ZWBL)
Bole Alashankou Airport
Bole
298 flights
9 routes

Top Border Crossing Flights

CKG (ZUCK)
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Chongqing, CN
959 flights
48 routes

Longest Routes

HAK → BAV
Haikou Meilan International Airport → Baotou Donghe Airport
1750 mi
CKG → AKU
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport → Aksu
1676 mi
AKU → CKG
Aksu Hongqipo Airport → Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
1676 mi
SYX → ENY
Sanya Phoenix International Airport → Yan'an Nanniwan Airport
1583 mi
JHG → TSN
Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport → Tianjin Binhai Int'l
1538 mi

Shortest Routes

AKU → ACF
Aksu Hongqipo Airport → Alaer Talimu
74 mi
ACF → AKU
Aral Tarim Airport → Aksu
74 mi
QSZ → KHG
Shache Airport → Kashgar (Kashi)
106 mi
KHG → QSZ
Kashgar Laining International Airport → Shache Airport
106 mi
KRY → TCG
Karamay Airport → Tacheng
114 mi

All Routes

643 Total Routes
Showing 25 most popular routes
Route Destination Flights Distance Aircraft Last Seen
XUZ → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
78 693 mi A320 Jan 28, 2026
CIF → HET Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
64 374 mi A320 Jan 28, 2026
NZH → HET Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
63 659 mi CRJ9 Jan 29, 2026
AKU → YIN Yining
Yining
63 194 mi CRJ9 Jan 29, 2026
HET → AXF Alxa Left Banner Bayanhot Airport
Alxa Left Banner
62 362 mi CRJ9 Jan 27, 2026
ENY → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
61 507 mi A320 Jan 27, 2026
XIL → HET Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
59 299 mi A320 Jan 28, 2026
BPL → KRL Korla
Korla
59 293 mi CRJ9 Jan 30, 2026
BPL → TCG Tacheng
Tacheng
58 133 mi CRJ9 Jan 30, 2026
DNH → YZY Zhangye Ganzhou
Zhangye
58 327 mi CRJ9 Jan 29, 2026
BPL → AKU Aksu
Aksu
57 271 mi 909 Jan 30, 2026
SHS → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
57 350 mi 909 Jan 28, 2026
HET → CIF Chifeng
Chifeng
57 374 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
BAV → CIF Chifeng
Chifeng
56 472 mi CRJ9 Jan 16, 2026
BAV → TGO Tongliao
Tongliao
55 659 mi CRJ9 Jan 28, 2026
WHA → TFU Chengdu Tianfu Int'l
Chengdu
54 846 mi A320 Jan 27, 2026
HDG → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
54 652 mi A320 Jan 28, 2026
LZH → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
52 417 mi CRJ9 Jan 30, 2026
TGO → HET Hohhot Baita Int'l
Hohhot
52 563 mi A320 Jan 30, 2026
KRL → KRY Karamay
Karamay
52 267 mi 909 Jan 25, 2026
HET → ERL Erenhot Saiwusu International Airport 51 179 mi CRJ9 Jan 27, 2026
DOY → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
50 882 mi 909 Jan 30, 2026
AKU → CKG Chongqing Jiangbei Int'l
Chongqing
50 1676 mi A320 Jan 29, 2026
BAV → XIL Xilinhot
Xilinhot
49 384 mi CRJ9 Jan 28, 2026
KHG → YIN Yining
Yining
49 410 mi 909 Jan 30, 2026
Data Information:

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.

Data Freshness: Real-time
Last Update: Jan 30, 2026 12:08
Coverage: Observed routes only