Hainan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines are both full-service Chinese carriers, and both operate from Shenzhen, which is a hub for each. Hainan is the larger, with long-haul flying to Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, while Shenzhen Airlines is a Star Alliance member focused on mainland China and Asia.
Quick verdict
Hainan Airlines suits travellers who want a long-haul product, a wider network and a Skytrax five-star carrier. Shenzhen Airlines suits those who want Star Alliance connections and miles, mainly on domestic and regional routes out of Shenzhen. On shared routes, compare fares and timings first, because both are full-service carriers.
Choose Hainan Airlines if…
- You are flying long-haul and want a lie-flat business seat on a 787-9 or A330.
- You want the larger network, with about 120 destinations and several hubs across China.
- You value a Skytrax five-star rating and Hainan's own lounges at Beijing, Haikou, Xi'an, Guangzhou and Ürümqi.
Choose Shenzhen Airlines if…
- You collect Star Alliance miles or hold Star Alliance Gold status.
- You are flying from Shenzhen to mainland China or nearby Asian cities.
- You want a premium economy option on the A330-300 or A350-900.
At a glance
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Key differences
Network and hubs
Hainan is based in Haikou, with hubs at Beijing Capital, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Xi'an. It lists about 120 destinations and links China with Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Shenzhen Airlines is centred on Shenzhen, with focus cities at Beijing Capital, Guangzhou, Nanning, Shenyang, Wuxi and Zhengzhou. It serves around 79 destinations, mostly in mainland China and Asia. Shenzhen is the point where the two networks overlap.
Long-haul flying
Hainan operates 28 Boeing 787-9s and a number of Airbus A330s, which cover its intercontinental routes. Shenzhen Airlines has six A330-300s and one A350-900, so its long-haul flying is limited. A nonstop Sydney–Shenzhen service is reported to start on 14 December 2026, four times weekly on an A330-300. For most intercontinental trips, Hainan offers more choice.
Cabins and seats
Hainan's A330-300 has 1-2-1 reverse herringbone business seats with 45 in pitch. Premium economy, with 38 in pitch, is on newer 787-9s only. Long-haul economy has 32 in pitch and personal screens. Shenzhen's narrowbodies have business and economy only. Its A330-300 has 18 business, 24 premium economy and 267 economy seats, and its A350-900 has 32 business, 24 premium economy and 256 economy seats.
Baggage
Shenzhen Airlines' domestic economy allowance is 20 kg checked and a 5 kg cabin bag. International economy is typically one 23 kg bag, though this varies by route and fare. Hainan's allowance also depends on route and fare, so check the booking page for your flight. Do not assume the same allowance applies on both airlines.
Loyalty, alliances and lounges
Shenzhen Airlines has belonged to Star Alliance since 2012, and its programme is PhoenixMiles. Hainan is in no global alliance and uses Fortune Wings Club. For travellers connecting onto other Star Alliance airlines, Shenzhen Airlines is the easier fit. Hainan runs its own lounges at Beijing Terminal 1, Haikou, Xi'an, Guangzhou and Ürümqi.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hainan Airlines better than Shenzhen Airlines?
For long-haul travel, Hainan Airlines has the larger network and more widebody aircraft, and it holds a Skytrax five-star rating. Shenzhen Airlines is the better choice if you want Star Alliance benefits or are flying mainly within China and Asia.
Is Shenzhen Airlines part of Star Alliance?
Yes, Shenzhen Airlines has been a Star Alliance member since 2012. Hainan Airlines belongs to none of the three global alliances.
Do Hainan and Shenzhen Airlines include checked baggage?
On Shenzhen Airlines, domestic economy includes 20 kg checked baggage and international economy typically includes one 23 kg bag. Hainan's allowance varies by route and fare, so check it when 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 Shenzhen Airlines Read more
Overview
Shenzhen Airlines is a Chinese carrier headquartered at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. According to Wikipedia, it was founded in November 1992 and began flying on 17 September 1993. Air China owns 51%, Shenzhen International Holdings 28.1% and Kunhang Investment 20.9%. The airline has been a Star Alliance member since 2012. It also owns 80% of Kunming Airlines.
Network and hubs
Shenzhen is the main hub. Focus cities are Beijing Capital, Guangzhou, Nanning, Shenyang, Wuxi and Zhengzhou. The airline serves around 79 destinations, mostly in mainland China and Asia. A third-party report says nonstop Sydney–Shenzhen flights will start on 14 December 2026, four times weekly with an Airbus A330-300.
Fleet
As of June 2026, Wikipedia lists 205 aircraft in service:
- Airbus A320-200: 76
- Airbus A320neo: 30
- Airbus A321neo: 6
- Airbus A330-300: 6
- Airbus A350-900: 1
- Boeing 737-800: 71
- Boeing 737 MAX 8: 15
About 35 more are on order. Air China is reported to be transferring A350s to the airline, and a July 2026 report mentions a purchase of 40 A320neo-family aircraft for delivery between 2029 and 2032. The infobox gives a slightly different total of 202.
On board
Narrowbody aircraft have Business and Economy cabins. The A330-300 is listed with 18 business, 24 premium economy and 267 economy seats, and the A350-900 with 32 business, 24 premium economy and 256 economy seats. Information on seat pitch, entertainment, meals and Wi-Fi was not confirmed from official sources.
Good to know
- Baggage: Shenzhen airport guidance gives domestic free checked allowances of 20 kg in economy, 30 kg in business and 40 kg in first. Cabin bags are limited to 5 kg domestically and 7 kg internationally, at 20 x 40 x 55 cm. International allowances vary by route and fare, and third-party sites report one 23 kg bag in economy. Check the airline's own page before travelling.
- Loyalty: the programme is PhoenixMiles, and Star Alliance Gold members are reported to receive extra baggage.
- Fees and lounges: change fees and lounge details were not verified.
Sources (4)
Ranking
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