Airline codes
HU · CHH
IATA · ICAO · callsign “HAINAN”
Hainan Airlines’ IATA code is HU, its ICAO code is CHH, and the radio callsign is HAINAN. Type HU and your flight number into a status search to follow a Hainan Airlines flight.
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Hainan Airlines (HU) Guide
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Flights from Beijing, Haikou and other Chinese hubs to Europe, North America and Asia, fleet and cabins, baggage, check-in and how to find cheaper Hainan Airlines fares. Ask a question
In short
Hainan Airlines is a major Chinese full-service airline headquartered in Haikou, with Beijing Capital among hubs that include Haikou, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Xi'an. It flies to about 120 destinations in China, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. Hainan is not in an alliance and runs Fortune Wings Club. Cabins are Business, Premium Economy and Economy.
Hainan Airlines is one of China’s largest airlines and the biggest privately run one, with hubs in Beijing, Haikou and other cities.
Please note: bookingMentor is an independent travel service and is not affiliated with Hainan Airlines. Routes, schedules and baggage rules change, so always confirm the details of your booking with the airline.
What to expect
Hainan Airlines (IATA HU) is a full-service Chinese airline headquartered in Haikou, the capital of Hainan Island. It flies a large domestic network and long-haul routes to Europe, North America and Australia from hubs including Beijing Capital, and suits travellers looking for a direct flight into China on an airline rated five stars by Skytrax.
From Hainan Province Airlines to a joint-stock carrier
The airline was set up in October 1989 as Hainan Province Airlines. A restructuring in January 1993 made it China's first joint-stock air transport company, and scheduled flights began in May that year. It took the Hainan Airlines name in 1996. In 2014 it became the first Chinese carrier to fly direct between China and Boston, with a route from Beijing.
Hainan Airlines grew into the core of the HNA Group conglomerate. In January 2022 the equity of HNA Aviation Group passed to Hainan Fangda Aviation Development, part of Liaoning Fangda Group, and Hainan Airlines now sits under HNA Aviation. Group airlines include Beijing Capital Airlines, Tianjin Airlines, Lucky Air, Fuzhou Airlines, Urumqi Air, Air Changan, Grand China Air and Hong Kong Airlines.
Haikou base and the mainland hubs
Haikou Meilan is the main base. The airline's hubs are Beijing Capital, Chongqing, Haikou, Shenzhen and Xi'an, and it has further focus cities such as Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Sanya. Hainan Airlines describes itself as the largest privately run air transport company in China. By fleet size it is the fourth-largest Chinese airline, and it runs close to 500 domestic and international routes to more than 90 cities.
The airline is not in a global alliance. It codeshares with about 25 airlines, among them Alaska Airlines, EVA Air, Etihad, Iberia, Korean Air, Virgin Australia and WestJet, which extends its reach in Europe, North America and Australia.
Transit through China and visa rules
Many international passengers connect through a Chinese hub. China offers visa-free transit to some nationalities, but the rules depend on your passport and the airport, so check before booking. The Hainan Airlines website has pages on transit at its domestic hubs and on visa and travel documents. Leave time for immigration and security before a connecting domestic flight.
Travel tip: baggage rules on international tickets and on purely domestic Chinese flights differ, and allowances also vary by route. Check your fare's allowance on the Hainan Airlines website, and prepay any extra bag online, where the airline sells it before the day of travel.
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Good to know
- Founded1989
- Other gatewaysHAK / SZX / CKG / XIY
- Online check-inYes
Everything you should know
At a glance
Hainan Airlines (IATA: HU, ICAO: CHH) is a major Chinese airline founded in 1989 and headquartered in Haikou. With hubs in Beijing Capital, Haikou, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Xi’an, it flies about 230 Boeing 737, 787 and Airbus A330 aircraft to around 120 destinations in China, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia.
| Headquarters | Haikou, Hainan, China |
|---|---|
| Fleet types | Boeing 787-9, 787-8, 737-800, 737 MAX 8, Airbus A330 |
| Frequent flyer | Fortune Wings Club |
| Official website | hainanairlines.com |
Flight routes
Destinations and routes
Hainan Airlines serves the places below according to its published network. Routes are added, paused and rescheduled, so confirm the current Hainan Airlines timetable when you search.
Search flights
China
Beijing (PEK) departures7 destinations
FromTo PEK HAK BeijingHaikou Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK SYX BeijingSanya Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK SZX BeijingShenzhen Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK CKG BeijingChongqing Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK XIY BeijingXi’an Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK PVG BeijingShanghai Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK CAN BeijingGuangzhou Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
Europe
Beijing (PEK) departures8 destinations
FromTo PEK LHR BeijingLondon Heathrow Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK MAN BeijingManchester Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK EDI BeijingEdinburgh Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK DUB BeijingDublin Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK BRU BeijingBrussels Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK BER BeijingBerlin Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK VIE BeijingVienna Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK BEG BeijingBelgrade Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
North America
Beijing (PEK) departures4 destinations
FromTo PEK BOS BeijingBoston Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK SEA BeijingSeattle Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK YYZ BeijingToronto Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK YYC BeijingCalgary Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
Asia & Oceania
Beijing (PEK) departures6 destinations
FromTo PEK BKK BeijingBangkok Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK SIN BeijingSingapore Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK ALA BeijingAlmaty Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK BNE BeijingBrisbane Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK HKG BeijingHong Kong Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
FromTo PEK NRT BeijingTokyo Narita Available airlines1 airline- Hainan Airlines
Fleet and aircraft
Wikipedia lists about 233 aircraft in service and 147 on order. Long-haul flights use the Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A330 family, and older 787-8s are leaving the fleet. Domestic and regional routes use the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 and the Airbus A320neo and A321neo. The order book includes the Chinese-built Comac C909 regional jet and C919 narrow-body.
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Boeing 787-9 Wide-body · 28 Long-haul routes to Europe and North America
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Boeing 787-8 Wide-body · 10 Long-haul and regional routes (being phased out)
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Airbus A330-200 Wide-body Long-haul and busy domestic routes
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Airbus A330-300 Wide-body Long-haul and busy domestic routes
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Airbus A330-900 Wide-body Long-haul and busy domestic routes
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Boeing 737-800 Narrow-body Domestic and regional routes
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Boeing 737 MAX 8 Narrow-body Domestic and regional routes
Cabin classes
Business and Economy on every flight; Premium Economy on some 787-9s.
Economy All flights
Full service
MealsChecked bag includedEntertainment on wide-bodies
Premium Economy Newer 787-9s
Part of the ‘Dream Feather’ cabin
More legroomWider seat
Business All aircraft
Flat beds on long-haul wide-bodies
Lounge accessPriority servicesExtra baggage
Fortune Wings Club
The frequent flyer programme shared by Hainan Airlines and its HNA sister airlines.
Members earn points on Hainan Airlines and partner airlines such as Hong Kong Airlines and can redeem them for award flights and upgrades. Hainan is not in a global alliance, so check partner earning before you credit a flight.
Fortune Wings Club is the frequent flyer programme for Hainan Airlines and its sister airlines, including Hong Kong Airlines. It has four tiers above the base card, named Platinum, Gold, Silver and Flying Card.
Baggage allowance
On Hainan Airlines, the bag allowance follows your fare type, cabin and route, and the exact figure is printed on your HU e-ticket.
Checked baggage
On your e-ticket
Cabin baggage
Depends on fare
Extra bags
Cheaper before you fly
Power banks
Cabin bag only
International flights to and from the Americas often use a piece concept, while other routes may use weight. Domestic flights within China have their own allowance. Check your e-ticket.
Pro tip: on a domestic connection after an international arrival in China, check whether your bags are checked through or must be collected at the first airport.
Travel day
Online Check-in
Hainan Airlines check-in comes down to four steps, from checking in online to dropping your bags at Beijing Capital International.
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Step 1
Check in online
Where your flight allows it, check in on hainanairlines.com or app with your surname and booking reference or e-ticket number.
Booking ref + surname -
Step 2
Prepare your documents
Pack your passport plus any visa, residence permit or entry papers your destination asks for. Domestic HU passengers should bring a photo ID the airline accepts.
Passport · visa · ID -
Step 3
Arrive early
Each airport has its own Hainan Airlines check-in and bag-drop deadline, listed in your booking. Allow extra time for busy terminals and international HU departures.
Well before departure -
Step 4
Drop your bags
At the airport, take your bags to the Hainan Airlines bag-drop point. Collect a printed HU boarding pass there if you have not saved one to your phone.
Hainan Airlines counter
Departing from Beijing?
Terminals, lounges, food and transport at Beijing Capital International, all in one guide.
Save money
Cheap tickets
A few booking habits that tend to cut the cost of flying Hainan Airlines.
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01
Be flexible with your Hainan Airlines dates
Hainan Airlines fares are often lower on midweek departures. Search a spread of dates around your trip to find the cheaper days.
Midweek flights -
02
Avoid peak seasons
Chinese New Year and the October Golden Week are the busiest periods for travel to and within China.
Chinese New Year -
03
Compare Hainan Airlines fare types
The lowest HU fare is not always the cheapest trip once bags and seats are added. Compare the fare types before you pay.
Baggage & changes -
Ready to compare fares?
Search Hainan Airlines alongside every other airline on your route, with flexible dates.
Search Hainan Airlines flights
Reviews and questions
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Visitors are asking
No. Hainan Airlines is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam, but has codeshares with many airlines.
Yes. It flies to cities including London, Manchester, Brussels, Berlin and Vienna, mostly from Beijing.
Change rules come with each Hainan Airlines fare, and the lowest ones allow the least. Make changes through the airline or whoever sold you the ticket.
On an infant ticket, a child under two usually flies on an adult’s lap. Add the baby when you book with Hainan Airlines and check what it allows for prams and car seats.
Search the HU flight number on Hainan Airlines’ website or app. Airport departure screens show the same status on the day.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Everything travellers ask before flying Hainan Airlines.
Checked against hainanairlines.com and public aviation references, with a review each season.
Getting there
No. Hainan Airlines is not part of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or oneworld. It relies on codeshare partners such as Alaska Airlines, EVA Air, Iberia, Korean Air, Virgin Australia and WestJet for connections beyond its own network.
The airline is based at Haikou Meilan International Airport on Hainan Island. Its hubs include Beijing Capital, Shenzhen, Xi'an and Chongqing, and it also has bases in cities such as Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Sanya.
Hainan Airlines offers Business Class and Economy Class across its network. Premium Economy is available only on newer Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the latest interior, so check the aircraft type when you book.
Baggage allowances depend on route, cabin and fare, and domestic Chinese flights can follow different rules from international ones. Check your allowance in your booking and on the Hainan Airlines website before you travel.
Yes. Hainan Airlines is one of the airlines rated five stars by Skytrax, and it was named Best Airline in China in 2024.
Hainan Airlines is part of HNA Aviation, which has been controlled by Liaoning Fangda Group since the HNA Group restructuring was completed in 2022.
Only on newer Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the Dream Feather interior. Business and Economy are on every aircraft.
The airline lists HNA Club lounges at Beijing Capital Terminal 2, Haikou Meilan and Shanghai Pudong, with further lounges at Xi'an, Guangzhou and Urumqi.
Hainan Airlines has about 233 aircraft in service, mainly Boeing 737 and 787 and Airbus A320neo and A330 family jets, with more than 140 on order.
Hainan Airlines uses the IATA code HU and the ICAO code CHH. Its radio callsign is HAINAN.
Online check-in: yes. Check in on hainanairlines.com. The Check-in section of this guide walks through it in 4 steps.
The Hainan Airlines frequent flyer programme is Fortune Wings Club. How members earn and spend points is explained in the Fortune Wings Club section of this guide.
Hainan Airlines was founded in 1989, 37 years ago.
General
Fortune Wings Club is the frequent flyer programme of Hainan Airlines and its sister airlines, including Hong Kong Airlines and Lucky Air. It has Platinum, Gold and Silver elite tiers, and members earn points on flights within the group.
Booking
Hainan Airlines flies to about 120 destinations. They are listed by region, with fares and route guides where we have them, in the destinations section of this page.