The Philippines in 1996-1997, China in 2000, Vietnam in 2009, Japan in 2013 and 2025, South Korea in 2014 and 2024, Taiwan in 2017 (the starting point of Trip By Trip), Singapore in 2018, Hong Kong and Macau in 2023. I like travelling to East Asia. Yet I never visited Thailand, for many westerners the starting point of Asia travels. Unexpectedly, my request for time off in January 2026 was granted, so I decided to not stay home. I booked flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for a ten-day gay solo trip.
I flew with Hainan Airlines because Google Flights showed me this route and the price was great. So why not? I was unfamiliar with Hainan Airlines.
Introduction
Hainan Airlines is a major Chinese airline headquartered in Haikou on the island province of Hainan, renowned as the largest civilian-run air transport company in China and one of the most significant carriers in Asia.
Founded in October 1989 as Hainan Province Airlines, it became China’s first joint-stock air transport company following its restructuring in January 1993 and began scheduled passenger services on 2 May 1993. Initially financed by a combination of provincial government investment and private institutional capital, the airline quickly expanded its network and capabilities, becoming Hainan Airlines in 1996 and establishing itself as a dynamic force in the rapidly growing Chinese aviation market.
Over the years Hainan Airlines grew through fleet expansion, strategic orders of modern aircraft and by developing an extensive route network. Its fleet today comprises more than 220 aircraft serving about 120 destinations across China and around the world, making it the fourth-largest airline in China by fleet size and the tenth-largest in Asia by passengers carried.
The airline operates scheduled domestic and international services on roughly 500 routes, complemented by charter operations, connecting major cities in Asia with Europe, North America, Oceania and beyond. Its principal hub remains Haikou Meilan International Airport, with major hubs at Beijing-Capital, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Xi’an, and focus cities including Changsha, Guangzhou, Lanzhou, Sanya, Taiyuan and Ürümqi.
Hainan Airlines has built a reputation for service quality and innovation. It became one of the first Chinese carriers to be awarded a five-star rating by Skytrax, a respected airline industry rating organisation, and has maintained high standings in global airline rankings, frequently earning accolades for service excellence, staff performance and passenger comfort. While its parent group HNA faced financial difficulties and underwent bankruptcy restructuring in the early 2020s, the airline itself has continued to operate and restructure under new ownership with backing from industrial investors, ensuring its ongoing presence in international aviation.
In addition to its extensive scheduled services, Hainan Airlines participates in codeshare agreements with other carriers and continues to pursue strategic partnerships that expand its global reach. Its frequent-flyer programme, the Fortune Wings Club, rewards loyal customers across its network, and its modern fleet—comprising Boeing and Airbus models—reflects a long-term commitment to operational efficiency and customer experience.
Before the flight
Two happenings were notable before we flew.
Firstly, I could not check in online, which is highly unusual. So everything had to be done at the airport.
Secondly, after the boarding check, where you show boarding pass and passport to staff and before proceeding onto the jetway, we were all quizzed by Belgian Customs Police. I was asked how much cash I carried. That was way under the limit so I was fine. It was the first time I experienced this.
Hainan Airlines flight HU470.
22 January 2026.
Brussels Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
Scheduled: 11:20 CET to 5:10 CST the next day.
Actually: 11:34 CET to 4:21 CST the next day.
Flight time: 9:48.
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner; B-1543.
This Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner sports a 3-3-3 seating configuration in economy. While many airlines have shades of blue as main colours, next to (off)white, Hainan is is very red. Chinese flag and communism aesthetics obligent?
On the seat, a blanket and a cushion waited for me. But no bottle of water. The seat is quite firm. It’s a pretty standard long-haul economy seat with a pretty standard incline, pitch, and leg room. I sat at the window. In seat A. I prefer the left side as when I fall asleep, I tend to lean left.
In-flight entertainment
The in-flight entertainment (IFE) is not as extensive as with other airlines. The interface is very red. And not only colour-wise. The films, series, documentaries, music and games are all ‘safe’, perhaps ‘tame’. Don’t expect LGBTQIA+ storytelling. Some of the productions proposed are more propagandistic, showing a post-1949 point of view of events. That’s not a surprise.
I did not watch anything, except the flight plan.
Food
During this almost-ten-hour-flight, two meal services were organised. The first meal offered a choice of pork in shrimp sauce and rice or… something I didn’t understand. Bizarrely, the drinks trolley only came after the food, not before.
The breakfast had a western option and congee, an Asian liquid rice porridge. I had the congee.
The food was all right.
So?
It was an okay economy flight. I did not manage to sleep well. The cabin was organised as a night flight, but it was very much day. The crew as all-female, which struck me.
I wasn’t charmed by this Hainan Airlines flight, but I can’t say I was put off either. It didn’t help it was very warm (apparently Chinese people get cold quickly) and I didn’t get to figure out the air vents.
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