Like a glinting piece of gold that keeps catching our eye in the sun, we couldn’t ignore this Chinese carrier shining a blindingly bright light on low prices.
So What Is Hainan Charging?
Not much, and that—plus its lie-flat seat—is the reason for the FCF spotlight.
For Los Angeles to Beijing (via Changsha), the round-trip Business Class fare starts at $1,543 (normal fares are about double that). Los Angeles to Shanghai goes for $1,543; Guangzhou $1,675; Shenzhen $1,675.
Examples from other major U.S. cities include non-stop from Chicago to Chengdu Business Class for only $1,687 round-trip and New York to Beijing for $1,807.
Adding Other U.S. Departure Cities
Hainan Airlines is not part of an alliance, but it has a partnership with Alaska Airlines. This means other U.S. departure cities can be added on one ticket as a through fare with Alaska domestic flights being in First Class. You can earn and use miles with Alaska for flights on Hainan Airlines.
For example, Dallas to Beijing is $2,969, flying Alaska in First Class from Dallas to Seattle, and then Hainan Airlines non-stop Seattle to Beijing. Compare this to other airlines, such as American (non-stop) at $4,963, and you’re saving almost $2,000—or almost getting two tickets for the price of one.
A Seat at the Table
How often do you see $1,600 round-trip Biz Class fares to Asia?
N o t o f t e n.
Hainan’s Business Class (there’s no First Class) on the Boeing 787-9 offers a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout with an extra four inches of space. On the A350, Business Class is either in a staggered 1-2-1 or 2-2-2 configuration. Each seat can reach a length of 78 inches when fully reclined at 180 degrees.
Where Does Hainan Airlines Fly From the U.S.?
All the following flights are on the B787-9 (except the first one): Boston to Beijing–A350; Boston to Shanghai. Chicago to Beijing and Chengdu. Las Vegas to Beijing. Los Angeles to Chongqing, Changsha, and Chengdu. New York to Chongqing and Chengdu. San Jose to Beijing. Seattle to Beijing and Shanghai.
A Low-Cost Connector
If you’re thinking of traveling to Asia, consider Hainan to do the heavy lifting to get you there at a low price. For a taste of the many cities they service in Asia go here.