Tag Archives: Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines arrives in Paris

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) on September 3, took off for the first time to Paris. Hainan’s flight HU 7907 took off from Hangzhou International Airport at 9:15 pm (2115), making a stop at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, before heading on to Paris (CDG). This is the airline’s fifth European route following its routes to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Brussels and Berlin. The launch of the service will provide new opportunities for further political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and France, as 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the countries.

Hainan Airlines held inaugural flight ceremonies at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International and Xi’an Xianyang International airports on September 3, with representatives from local government agencies and airline partners as well as Hainan Airlines chairman and vice president in attendance. Passengers onboard the inaugural Airbus A330 flight received gifts from the Hainan Airlines staff before the plane took off for its maiden flight to Paris, the city of romance.

According to Hainan Airlines’ head of marketing, the flight will be offered twice-weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. HU 7907 departs Hangzhou at 8:50 pm (2050) and arrives in Xi’an at 11:10 pm (2310), then departs Xi’an the next day at 1:00 am (0100) and arrives at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 6:55 am (0655). The return flight, HU 7908, departs Paris at 2:25 pm (1425) and arrives the next day in Xi’an at 6:45 am (0645), then departs Xi’an at 8:45 am (0845) and arrives in Hangzhou at 10:50 am (1050) (arrival and departure times are local).

The route will be operated using an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft. The plane’s cheery and spacious cabin seats 36 in Business Class and 186 in Economy Class. The Business cabin is configured with 180-degree flat-bed seats with built-in gentle massage and 74 inches of space separating each seat. In addition, wide HD LCD screens and adjustable reading light serve to make sure passengers feel comfortable in a private environment.

Since 1993, Hainan Airlines has evolved from a regional to an international airline with several long haul intercontinental routes. The airline has launched routes to Chicago, Boston and Paris in recent years. According to the Sino-French Joint Press Communique, which emphasized building a peaceful, democratic, prosperous and progressive world, both China and France seek to strengthen mutual benefits and win-win results in civil aviation and the aviation industry. This provides Hainan Airlines with strong policy support and confidence to speed up the build-out of its international route network.

Hainan Airlines:

Urumqi Air to launch operations now on August 29 in northwest China

Urumqi Air (Urumqi, Xinjiang) is a new airline in China. The new airline is a joint venture between the HNA Group and the state-owned Urumqi Urban Construction Investment Company Limited.

Urumqi Air will be based at Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport, in the capital of Xinjiang in the remote northwest part of China (please see map above).

Urumqi Air took delivery of Boeing 737-84P B-2157 (msn 32600) from Hainan Airlines on August 20 which will provide the technical support and three leased Boeing 737 aircraft for the new carrier. The parent HNA Group will control 70 percent of the stock. Operations are due to start now on August 29, delayed from August 15.

Read the full report from Travel Daily Asia: CLICK HERE

The logo “integrates the three-color Adlai silk and flying dove, which highlights the geographical reputation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, symbolizing peace and friendship” according to wcarn.com.

Map: Google Maps.

Hainan Airlines commits to order 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s

Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) and Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) today announced that the two companies are finalizing terms and working toward a purchase agreement for 50 737 MAX 8s, reaffirming the Chinese airline’s preference for an all-Boeing single-aisle fleet.

The commitment, valued at more than $5.1 billion at current list prices, will be subject to the approval of the Chinese government and will be posted on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.

The 737 MAX has surpassed 2,100 orders from 42 customers worldwide and is the fastest selling airplane in Boeing history. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

Image: Boeing.

Hainan Airlines:

Hainan Airlines arrives in Boston

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) yesterday (June 20) launched nonstop service between Boston’s Logan Airport and Beijing, representing the first scheduled nonstop flight between New England and Mainland China in history – and with the industry’s most advanced airliner – the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

In addition, Hainan Airlines has partnered with Boston-based Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network service to provide complimentary private ground transfers for business class passengers within a 30 mile radius of Logan Airport. The same services will be provided by Dav El in Chicago (O’Hare) and Seattle/Tacoma. Hainan Airlines already provides complimentary executive car service in Beijing for long haul business class travelers, and has introduced this in Europe as well.

Hainan Airlines will operate the flights year round every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and due to peak demand, will increase frequency to daily from July 18 through the end of August. With its international hub at Beijing, Hainan offers connections to cities throughout China, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xi’an, and Haikou. Travelers may stopover in Beijing in either direction and connect with numerous additional Chinese cities across the Hainan network such as Chengdu or Dalian. The new Boston flight will complement the carrier’s existing North American service to Beijing from Seattle/Tacoma, Chicago, and Toronto.

Flight 481 departs Beijing at 1:50 pm (1350) local time and is scheduled to arrive Logan Airport at 3:10 pm (1510). Return flight 482 will depart Logan at 5:10 pm (1710) with scheduled arrival at 6:50 pm (1850) the following day in Beijing.

Recent changes to visa regulations permit U.S. citizens to stay in Beijing for as long as 72 hours visa-free when traveling to international points beyond China, enabling online onward travel to other key destinations such as Thailand.

Hainan Airlines:

Hainan Airlines to fly to Paris from Hangzhou and Xian

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) will open a new route to Paris (CDG) from Hangzhou via Xian on September 3. The new route will be operated with Airbus A330-200s according to Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Karl Cornil/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A330-243 B-6088 (msn 906) climbs away from the runway at Brussels.

Hainan Airlines:

HNA Group celebrates the 500th aircraft and the seventh Boeing 787 for Hainan Airlines

HNA Group (Hainan Airlines) (Haikou and Beijing) quietly celebrated the delivery of the seventh Boeing 787 for Hainan Airlines. The pictured Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as B-2739 (msn 38055) was handed over on May 30. The delivery of this aircraft also represents the 500th airplane aircraft delivered to the HNA Group, including those no longer in service.

Senior HNA official Mr. Mou Weigang made the following remarks at the Boeing handover ceremony (translated from Chinese):

Today, we are very glad to have come to this beautiful “Emerald City” — Seattle – to receive the 500th airplane of the HNA Group. Here, on behalf of Hainan Airlines, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Boeing Company and the friends from all walks of life for your longtime loyalty and support for Hainan Airlines.

As one of the leaders in global aviation, Boeing possesses the most advanced airplane manufacturing technologies and excellent service ability in aviation technology. Over the past century, Boeing has led the world aviation technology revolution with the 247, 707, 727 and many other classic airplanes it has designed and developed, turning flight into one of humanity’s trip modes. Today, the dominant airplanes in the airline market, such as the 737, 747, 777, 787 and so on, are flying all over the world, and have made air travel more secure, more comfortable and more convenient.

Hainan Airlines and Boeing are old partners and friends. After 21 years of hard work, Hainan Airlines has developed from a single air transport enterprise to HNA Group, involving such areas as aviation, real estate, business, hotel, tourism, finance, logistics and more. Hainan Airlines is the flagship air transport enterprise in the HNA Group, and it is also the foundation and main force to develop and expand the HNA Group. The 7th Boeing 787 Dreamliner which will join in Hainan Airlines is the 500th airplane of HNA Group. The number 500 stands for a new milestone in the developmental history of Hainan Airlines. Meanwhile, it marks a new and glorious chapter that Hainan Airlines will open.

Boeing and Hainan Airlines have established and maintained a long-term and friendly cooperative relationship. We appreciate the diversified Boeing technical team which is full of creative spirit, and also thank you for your outstanding services for the development of Hainan Airlines. We hope Boeing and Hainan Airlines will continue to make progress together and provide a high-level flight experience to more travelers around the world.

Special thanks to Joel Chusid, reporting from Seattle.

Hainan Airlines:

Hainan Airlines retires its last Airbus A340-600

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) on April 15 retired its last Airbus A340-600 from revenue service. The type was introduced in 2008 on its long haul services.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Airbus A340-642 B-6508 (msn 436) is pictured previously departing from Toronto (Pearson).

Hainan Airlines:

Hainan Airlines brings the Boeing 787 to Seattle/Tacoma

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) started operating its new Boeing 787-8 on its nonstop service between SeaTac International Airport and Beijing effective yesterday (Friday, January 10, 2014). The carrier has been operating the route since it inaugurated service on June 9, 2008 with Airbus A330 aircraft. Scheduled departure and arrival times at Seattle/Tacoma will not change, and Hainan will be the only foreign airline operating between the United States and China nonstop with Dreamliners.

Hainan’s high quality service has become well known to travelers who fly between Seattle and China. Hainan Airlines has built a reputation for quality. Its business class service features flat-bed seats with turndown service, gourmet dining and fine wines on bone china, and complimentary limo service in Beijing for both arrival and departure Even its economy class service is well regarded, as the airline received the award for the Best Economy Class Service in the world by World Travel Awards in Doha, Qatar just a few weeks ago. The Dreamliner will add more features to what Hainan refers to as a “Cherished Experience”.

“Hainan Airlines has strong ties to Seattle, operating 110 Boeing aircraft out of a fleet of 128”, said Joel Chusid, Seattle-based Executive Director, US. “We have been looking forward to this for a long time.” The airline has ordered ten Dreamliners, and six are already in service. In addition to Seattle, the aircraft is used domestically and was recently introduced on its trans-Pacific route to Chicago. Plans are to have all its North American routes flown with Dreamliners, including Toronto (Pearson) and its newest announced destination, Boston, which will begin in June 2014.

Hainan Airlines:

Hainan Airlines is coming to Boston from Beijing on June 20, 2014

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) today announced it plans to launch nonstop service from Boston’s Logan Airport to Beijing on June 20, 2014. This will represent the first scheduled nonstop flight from Boston to Mainland China in history – and with the industry’s most advanced airliner – the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Hainan Airlines will operate the flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. With its international hub at Beijing, Hainan will offer connections to cities throughout China, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Fuzhou, Xi’an and Haikou. Travelers may stopover in Beijing in either direction and connect with numerous additional Chinese cities across the Hainan network such as Chengdu or Dalian. The new Boston flight will complement the carrier’s existing North American service to Beijing from Seattle, Chicago and Toronto.

Flight 482 will depart Logan Airport at 5:10 pm (1710) and arrive in Beijing at 6:50 pm (1850) the following day. Flight 481 will depart Beijing at 1:50 pm (1350) and reach Logan Airport at 3:10 pm (1510) the same day. Flight time is a little over 13 hours.

Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner B-2728 (msn 34938) lands at Paine Field near Everett.

Hainan Airlines:

Hainan Airlines wins best Economy Class award at the World Travel Awards

Hainan Airlines (Haikou and Beijing) on November 30 was honored with the “World’s Leading Economy Class” award, on the heels of winning the “Asia’s Leading Airline Economy Class” award last month. Guest Editor and Executive Director of Hainan Airlines in the United States, Joel Chusid, accepted the award at the high-profile World Travel Awards (WTA) which held its World-Class Awards ceremony at La Cigale Hotel Doha in Qatar.

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge and reward the world’s leading players across the tourism sector. The awards are regarded globally as the highest accolade in the sector and have been called “the Oscars of the travel industry” by The Wall Street Journal. WTA sets awards for all regional categories, and winners are selected based on votes cast globally by industry professionals and consumers online. It is one of the most prestigious awards programs in the tourism industry. This time, Hainan Airlines distinguished itself from the world’s 12 other leading airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

“We know that the award is the recognition and appreciation by industry professionals and consumers worldwide for the quality of Hainan Airlines’ economy class services. We will continue our commitment to high-quality air services, and hope Hainan Airlines can become the first choice of an ever greater number of travelers,” Joel M. Chusid, Executive Director of Hainan Airlines in the United States, said in his acceptance speech. Since its inception in 1993, Hainan Airlines has, through a proactive and innovative approach, been dedicated to making passengers feel welcome on its airplanes and assuring them the most comfortable travel experience through its high-quality services by adopting the best practices from a long tradition of Oriental hospitality.

World Travel Awards President and Founder Mr Graham E. Cooke said: “It is no surprise our voters have recognized Hainan Airlines as a global leader in the aviation sector; their success is richly deserved and it would be no surprise if we were to hear a great deal more from them here at World Travel Awards in the future.”

In addition to the award by WTA, Hainan Airlines recently won the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA)’s Mercury Award in the On Board Service category. “Cherished Experience”. Hainan Airlines demonstrates its excellence through the gaining of these highly coveted awards. The airline continues to garner greater visibility and popularity worldwide through its actions and achievements.

Copyright Photo: Executive Director of Hainan Airlines in the United States Joel M. Chusid and World Travel Awards founder and President Graham E. Cooke hold Hainan Airlines’ award for “World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class 2013”. (PRNewsFoto/Hainan Airlines Co., LTD).

Congratulations to Joel and Hainan Airlines.