Hainan Airlines vs China Eastern Airlines
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Researched and checked: 11 Oct 2026
Hainan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are both full-service Chinese carriers that fly between China and destinations across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Hainan is based in Haikou and is not in any alliance. China Eastern is based in Shanghai and is a SkyTeam member. Travellers often compare them on long-haul routes out of China and on domestic trunk routes.
Quick verdict
China Eastern suits travellers who want the larger network, Shanghai connections, SkyTeam benefits and free Wi-Fi on widebody flights. Hainan suits those who want a reverse herringbone business seat on its A330-300 and newer 787-9s, and a Skytrax five-star rating. Hainan's premium economy is only on newer 787-9s, while China Eastern's is on selected aircraft, so check the aircraft type before you book.
Choose Hainan Airlines if…
- You want a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone business seat on its A330-300 or newer 787-9 aircraft.
- You are flying from Beijing, Haikou, Xi'an, Chongqing or Shenzhen, where Hainan has its hubs.
- You value a Skytrax five-star airline, named Best Airline in China in 2024.
Choose China Eastern Airlines if…
- You want to connect via Shanghai Pudong or Hongqiao on a much wider network, with 232 destinations listed.
- You are a SkyTeam or Delta flyer who wants partner lounge access and status benefits.
- You want free Wi-Fi on widebody flights in all classes (reported July 2026) and a complimentary economy meal.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
China Eastern is one of China's big three carriers. Its hubs are Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, Kunming and Xi'an, with secondary hubs including Beijing Daxing and Chengdu Tianfu. It lists 232 destinations. Hainan is based in Haikou, with hubs at Beijing Capital, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Xi'an. It lists about 120 destinations. For eastern China and international connections, China Eastern offers more choice.
Fleet
China Eastern's fleet table (December 2025) shows 685 aircraft in service, with 291 on order. It includes A350-900s, 777-300ERs and Comac C919s. Hainan's fleet is smaller at 227 aircraft as of July 2026, including 126 Boeing 737-800s. Its long-haul fleet is 787-9s and A330s. Hainan retired its 787-8s in September 2026. It announced an order for 40 A320neo-family aircraft in July 2026.
Cabins and seats
Hainan's business class is 1-2-1 reverse herringbone with a 45 in pitch on the A330-300, and a similar design on newer 787-9s. The A330-200 and older 787s have 2-2-2 seating. Premium economy is on newer 787-9s only. China Eastern's business class varies by aircraft: 2-2 recliners on narrow-bodies, and 1-2-1 or 2-2-2 lie-flat on some A330s. Its premium economy is fitted on all A320neos, A350s, 737 MAXs and 787s, and on selected A330-300s and 737-800s.
Food and entertainment
China Eastern includes a complimentary meal in economy. Selected widebody aircraft have seatback screens, and a July 2026 report says widebody flights offer free Wi-Fi in all classes. Hainan has personal screens on long-haul flights: 9–12 in in economy, 13 in in premium economy, and up to about 16 in in business. Newer aircraft have USB ports. Check the airline's website for meal and Wi-Fi details on your route.
Loyalty and alliances
China Eastern belongs to SkyTeam. Its Eastern Miles programme has Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, and eligible passengers can use SkyTeam lounges. Delta Air Lines holds 3.55% of the airline. Hainan is not in any of the three alliances. Its programme is Fortune Wings Club, and it runs its own lounges in Beijing (Terminal 1), Haikou, Xi'an, Guangzhou and Ürümqi. Frequent flyers who use Delta or other SkyTeam airlines will find China Eastern more useful.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hainan Airlines better than China Eastern?
It depends on what you value. Hainan has a Skytrax five-star rating and a reverse herringbone business seat on its A330-300 and newer 787-9s. China Eastern has a larger network, SkyTeam membership and free Wi-Fi on widebody flights.
Which airline is in an alliance?
China Eastern is a SkyTeam member. Hainan Airlines is not in any of the three global alliances.
Do Hainan Airlines and China Eastern include checked baggage?
Allowances vary by route and fare on both airlines. Check the allowance for your fare on each airline's website before you book.
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 China Eastern Airlines Read more
Overview
China Eastern Airlines is one of China's three major airlines, alongside Air China and China Southern. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 25 June 1988 and is headquartered in Minhang, Shanghai. It is listed in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and its parent is China Eastern Air Holding Company; Delta Air Lines holds 3.55%. The airline is a member of SkyTeam, whose fact sheet (updated August 2026) describes it as one of China's three major aviation groups. Its subsidiaries include Shanghai Airlines, China United Airlines, China Eastern Yunnan Airlines and China Cargo Airlines.
Network and hubs
Main hubs are Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, Kunming and Xi'an. Secondary hubs include Beijing Daxing, Chengdu Tianfu, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao and Wuhan. Wikipedia lists 232 destinations. The SkyTeam fact sheet cites a fleet of over 800 aircraft for the wider group and about 150 million annual passengers.
Fleet
Wikipedia's fleet table, dated December 2025, shows 685 aircraft in service with a further 291 on order. Types include:
- Airbus A320 family, including A321neo
- Airbus A330-200 and A330-300, with A330-900 deliveries planned from 2029
- Airbus A350-900
- Boeing 737-700, 737-800 and 737 MAX 8
- Boeing 777-300ER and 787-9
- Comac C909 and C919, with China Eastern the launch customer of the C919
On board
Business class varies by aircraft. Narrow-body aircraft have 2-2 recliner seats, while some A330s have 1-2-1 or lie-flat 2-2-2 layouts. Premium Economy is fitted on all A320neos, A350s, 737 MAXs and 787s, and on selected A330-300s and 737-800s. Economy includes a complimentary meal, and selected widebody aircraft have seatback entertainment. A July 2026 report cited by Wikipedia says widebody flights now offer free Wi-Fi in all classes.
Good to know
- Baggage allowances and change fees vary by route and fare. Check the official website before travelling.
- The loyalty programme is Eastern Miles, with Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers. Shanghai Airlines and China United Airlines also take part.
- As a SkyTeam member, it offers connections and lounge access with partners such as Delta Air Lines.
- Safety: Flight MU5735, operated by subsidiary China Eastern Yunnan, crashed on 21 March 2022.
- Published on-time performance and typical fare data were not found for this profile.
Sources (3)
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