Hainan Airlines and Air China are both full-service Chinese carriers with long-haul networks linking China to Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Travellers compare them on routes out of Beijing, where both operate, and when choosing between a Star Alliance flag carrier and a non-aligned rival.
Quick verdict
Air China suits travellers who want a bigger network, Star Alliance connections and the ability to earn and use miles across partner airlines. Hainan Airlines suits those who prioritise a well-rated cabin product, particularly its reverse herringbone business class and premium economy on newer 787-9s, and who do not need alliance benefits. Check the aircraft on your specific flight, as cabins vary within both fleets.
Choose Hainan Airlines if…
- You want a flat-bed business seat with direct aisle access on a 1-2-1 layout (A330-300 and newer 787-9s)
- You want premium economy, offered on newer 787-9s only
- You value its Skytrax five-star rating and 2024 Best Airline in China award
Choose Air China if…
- You want Star Alliance connections and the ability to earn and redeem miles with partner airlines through PhoenixMiles
- You need the widest choice of destinations, with 218 served in total
- You are flying from Beijing, Chengdu or Shanghai Pudong, where Air China has its main hubs
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Air China is the larger operator, serving 218 destinations from hubs at Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Shuangliu and Chengdu Tianfu, with Shanghai Pudong as a secondary hub. Hainan Airlines lists about 120 destinations. Its main base is Haikou, with hubs at Beijing Capital, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Xi'an. If you are starting in Chengdu or want the most connection options, Air China has more choice. Hainan is stronger around Haikou, Chongqing and Xi'an.
Fleet
Air China's own fleet is about 533 aircraft (February 2026), and the wider group operates 972. In July 2026 its board approved 15 more A350-900s. Hainan Airlines operates 227 aircraft, mostly Boeing 737-800s, plus 28 Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A330s. It retired its 787-8s in September 2026 and announced an order for 40 A320neo-family aircraft in July 2026, with deliveries from 2028 to 2032. Both fleets are being renewed.
Cabins and seats
Hainan Airlines offers business class, premium economy (newer 787-9s only) and economy. Business is 1-2-1 reverse herringbone with a 45 in pitch on the A330-300. Older A330-200s and 787s have 2-2-2 layouts. Premium economy has a 38 in pitch and 13 in screen. Long-haul economy is 32 in with seatback screens. Air China's cabins differ by aircraft and route, so check the aircraft type on your booking before assuming a particular seat.
Baggage
Air China's economy cabin allowance is one 5 kg bag (55 x 40 x 20 cm). Checked baggage depends on route and fare: typically 20 kg on domestic flights and two bags on most US–China fares, though some basic fares allow one. Hainan's allowance also varies by route and fare. For either airline, confirm the allowance shown on your booking before you travel.
Loyalty and alliances
Air China belongs to Star Alliance, and its PhoenixMiles programme links to partner airlines. That helps if you connect onward to other Star carriers or want lounge access through status. Hainan Airlines is not in any of the three global alliances. Its programme is Fortune Wings Club, and it runs its own lounges in Beijing (Terminal 1), Haikou, Xi'an, Guangzhou and Ürümqi, with a transit lounge in Beijing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hainan Airlines better than Air China?
Hainan Airlines holds a Skytrax five-star rating and was named Best Airline in China by Skytrax in 2024. Air China has the larger network and Star Alliance membership. The better choice depends on whether you value cabin product or connections.
Is Air China part of Star Alliance?
Yes, Air China is a Star Alliance member and its frequent-flyer programme is PhoenixMiles. Hainan Airlines belongs to no global alliance.
Does Air China include checked baggage?
It depends on the route and fare. Most US–China economy fares include two bags and domestic flights typically allow 20 kg, but some basic fares include only one. Check your booking.
About Hainan Airlines Read more
Overview
Hainan Airlines is headquartered in Haikou, Hainan, China, and was founded in October 1989. According to Wikipedia, it is China's largest civilian-run air transport company and the fourth-largest Chinese airline by fleet size. After parent HNA Group entered bankruptcy restructuring in 2021, the airline component came under Liaoning Fangda Group-backed ownership. The airline is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and is not a member of any of the three global alliances. Its subsidiaries include Beijing Capital Airlines, Lucky Air, Tianjin Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Fuzhou Airlines.
Network and hubs
The main base is Haikou Meilan International Airport. Hubs are Beijing Capital, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Xi'an, with focus cities including Changsha, Guangzhou, Lanzhou, Sanya, Shanghai Pudong, Taiyuan and Ürümqi. The airline lists about 120 destinations. It links China with Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania.
Fleet
Wikipedia lists a fleet of 233 aircraft (as of September 2026). It comprises about 126 Boeing 737-800s, 32 737 MAX 8s, 28 787-9s, 22 Airbus A330-300s, 6 A330-200s, 10 A320neos, 2 A321neos and 1 A330-900. Hainan retired its Boeing 787-8s in September 2026. In July 2026 it announced an order for 40 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, with deliveries between 2028 and 2032. Some per-type counts are marked as needing citation.
On board
- Business class: 1-2-1 reverse herringbone seats with a 45 in pitch on the A330-300, and a similar design on newer 787-9s with the "Dream Feather" cabin. The A330-200 and older 787s have 2-2-2 layouts.
- Premium economy: only on newer 787-9s, with a 38 in pitch and a 13 in screen.
- Economy: 32 in pitch on long-haul flights, with 9–12 in personal screens and USB ports on newer aircraft.
Meal and Wi-Fi details were not confirmed from the sources reviewed. Check the airline website for the route you plan to fly. The airline holds a Skytrax five-star rating and was voted Best Airline in China by Skytrax in 2024.
Good to know
- Baggage allowances and change fees vary by route and fare. They were not confirmed here, so check the airline's website.
- Hainan operates its own lounges in Beijing (Terminal 1), Haikou, Xi'an, Guangzhou and Ürümqi.
- The loyalty programme is Fortune Wings Club.
- No published on-time performance figure was found.
About Air China Read more
Overview
Air China is China's flag carrier, founded on 1 July 1988 and headquartered in the Tianzhu Airport Industrial Zone, Shunyi District, Beijing. It is listed in Shanghai, Hong Kong and London. Its parent, Air China Group, holds 53.46%, and Cathay Pacific holds 18.13%. The airline is a member of Star Alliance. Its frequent-flyer programme is PhoenixMiles.
Network and hubs
According to Wikipedia, the main hubs are Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Shuangliu and Chengdu Tianfu, with Shanghai Pudong as a secondary hub. Focus cities include Chongqing, Dalian, Hangzhou, Hohhot, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Wuhan. The airline serves 218 destinations in total (Wikipedia, 2026). The group also includes Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Air Macau and Dalian Airlines, and Air China holds 29.9% of Cathay Pacific.
Fleet
Flightradar24 reported an active Air China fleet of 533 aircraft in February 2026, a mix of narrowbodies, widebodies and regional jets. This makes it the third-largest Chinese airline by fleet. The wider Air China group operated 972 aircraft at mid-2026 (Airbus 452, Boeing 471, COMAC 46, business jets 3), according to the 2026 interim results presentation. It added 17 narrowbodies in the first half of 2026. In July 2026 the board approved the introduction of 15 more A350-900 aircraft (2026 Interim Report).
On board
Air China began offering free on-board Wi-Fi on 15 November 2011, the first Chinese carrier to do so, according to Wikipedia. Cabin layouts, seat pitch and entertainment differ by aircraft type and route. Check the airline's website for the aircraft on a specific flight, as no verified figures were available for this profile.
Good to know
- Cabin baggage: MyBaggage gives the Economy limit as one piece of up to 5 kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Business and First Class passengers may carry up to two pieces of up to 8 kg, according to Stasher.
- Checked baggage: It depends on the route and fare. Third-party guides report 20 kg in Economy on domestic flights. They report two free bags on most international Economy fares such as US–China, but only one on some basic fares. Confirm the allowance on the booking.
- Loyalty: PhoenixMiles is linked to Star Alliance.
- Lounge access, change fees and punctuality figures were not confirmed in the sources used.
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