A Comfortable and Affordable Flight Experience

Hello! I've been flying with various airlines for both domestic and international trips, but I'd like to share my experience with Hainan Airlines for our recent trip to China.

We had been planning this trip for a while, knowing it would be our first long-haul flight with our child. Prior to this, we had taken our daughter to Egypt, Turkey, and Mineralnye Vody. This time, we were ready for a longer journey.

Why We Chose Hainan Airlines Over Aeroflot

Although both flights departed from Sheremetyevo and were direct to Hainan Island, with a 10-hour flight time, Hainan Airlines offered significantly lower ticket prices, which surprised us. We decided to go with Hainan Airlines, even though the airport of arrival was Haikou, not Sanya.

Hainan Airlines is currently popular, especially in the Asian region, due to its affordable and convenient flights. You can choose a direct flight to the island or one with a layover in Beijing, Guangzhou, or Shanghai.

A flight with a layover is cheaper, but it involves a mainland China transit, requiring a visa. A direct flight to the island is visa-free.

We decided to pay extra for the direct flight to Haikou. The 5-hour bus ride to Dadonghai was worth it.

The flight itself was comfortable, unlike Aeroflot, which, in my opinion, has declined in service. Prices have increased, and the service has deteriorated. I would not choose Aeroflot again, although I was impressed with them 5 years ago.

A Comfortable Flight Experience with Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines left a positive impression on me. It's popular among those traveling to Japan because you can buy affordable tickets to Beijing and then start your journey to Japan or other Asian destinations.

The aircraft was comfortable, and there were many passengers changing flights. Some went straight to passport control, while others applied for visas.

We flew on an Airbus A330-300, a large 2-4-2 configuration. The exit was through a jetway. It was very convenient. We took the stroller before entering the cabin.

Each seat had a package containing a blanket, pillow, earplugs, headphones for the in-flight entertainment system, eye mask, socks, a personal toothbrush, and toothpaste.

The in-flight entertainment system was available on the screen in front of each seat, offering games, a flight map, music, movies in both Russian and English, and educational programs.

In-Flight Meals

The menu was provided in the seat pocket, listing the breakfast and lunch options.

There was an abundance of food, which was a pleasant surprise.

You could choose from a variety of drinks, including juice, coconut water, soda, wine, and beer.

Our flight was smooth, and we enjoyed the comfortable distance between seats. The in-flight entertainment system was great, and the crew was attentive.

I bought compression socks for the flight, which were a lifesaver. It was my first time flying long-haul without swelling or discomfort in my legs.

Our luggage arrived safely, unlike Turkish Airlines, which lost our bags and caused us to spend 5 hours at the airport filling out documents.

Hainan Airlines is a comfortable and affordable choice. Compared to Turkish Airlines, which replaced their wide-body aircraft with narrow-body planes this year, saving on fuel and air conditioning, our 10-hour flight felt like a blink of an eye, not 5 hours in a cramped economy class.

Editor's Summary

Hainan Airlines offers a comfortable and affordable flight experience, making it an excellent choice for long-haul flights. With a wide range of in-flight amenities and a smooth flight, Hainan Airlines exceeded our expectations.

Featured FAQ

What made you choose Hainan Airlines over Aeroflot?Hainan Airlines offered significantly lower ticket prices and a more comfortable flight experience.

What were your expectations from Hainan Airlines?We expected a comfortable and affordable flight experience, which Hainan Airlines delivered.

How did you find the in-flight meals?There was an abundance of food, and the menu options were varied.

Were you satisfied with the in-flight entertainment system?Yes, the system was great, offering a wide range of games, movies, and educational programs.

Did you experience any issues with your luggage?No, our luggage arrived safely, unlike Turkish Airlines, which lost our bags.

Would you recommend Hainan Airlines to others?Yes, Hainan Airlines is a comfortable and affordable choice for long-haul flights.

Specifications

AircraftAirbus A330-300Seat Configuration2-4-2In-flight EntertainmentGames, flight map, music, movies, educational programs