Intro

Most people write off Chinese airlines before trying them.

Still, Hainan’s three-choice economy meals put some legacy carriers to shame.

When you’re getting better starters and desserts than what Qantas serves in economy, something’s definitely shifted in the aviation world.

My recent Bangkok to Melbourne journey via Haikou gave me a chance to test Hainan’s economy service across two flight segments, and the results were surprisingly good.

The interior of a mostly empty airplane cabin with red seats, overhead bins closed, and a few passengers seated and standing in the aisle.

The Transit

Normally, a transit stop isn’t an issue, but with Hainan, that meant entering China, collecting your bags, and waiting around for two hours before check-in opens.

Wide view of an airport terminal with a seating area, flight information displays, and a central planter with red and green plants.

It’s not a simple connection.

The security screening process was inefficient, and the staff seemed stressed, resulting in a lengthy and frustrating experience that significantly added to the overall transit time.

The Lounge

Without lounge access, I explained to the staff that I wanted to take a few photos for review purposes.

They kindly allowed me a brief visit for some quick photos.

Three digital screens in an airport display lounge information, airline logos, and flight departure times. A decorative box with Chinese text stands on the left.
A long wooden desk with tea sets, books, and decorative items arranged neatly; a potted plant on the left and a framed calligraphy piece on the wall behind.

Passengers could request food cooked to order.

A menu stand displaying bilingual notices listing available sauces and types of noodles, with English and Chinese text, in a dining area setting.
A person in a blue hairnet works in a kitchen behind a glass window, with two menu boards displayed on a counter in the foreground.

There was plenty of space to sit and relax, a separate VIP area, mini golf, and other activities.

Fresh bread in warming displays, circular beverage stations offering a variety of options from Heineken to spirits.

Modern airport lounge with empty seating areas, a few people relaxing, and large windows letting in natural light. Marble floors and contemporary decor are visible.
Modern indoor space with large potted plants, marble floors, seating area with people, and glass railing overlooking a lower level.
A bakery display case with assorted bread rolls, plates stacked in front, tongs, and jars of condiments on a marble counter in a self-serve area.
A glass-door refrigerator filled with drinks and a bottle of wine stands against a wall in a brightly lit indoor public space.
A modern cafeteria with a refrigerated display case of desserts and a heated display case with pastries on a white counter; marble flooring and some potted plants are visible.
A buffet counter with closed chafing dishes and stacks of plates in a modern, well-lit dining area.
A buffet counter displays assorted packaged snacks and desserts on tiered trays in a well-lit, modern dining area.
A closed wooden door labeled "VIP1" in a modern hallway with beige walls and marble flooring.
A small indoor putting green is set up near a glass railing in a shopping mall with closed stores visible in the background.
Large white planters with various green and flowering plants are arranged on a polished marble floor in a modern indoor lobby area.

Hainan Airlines Meal Service

Bangkok to Haikou (2 hours)

With a flight time of about two hours, I wasn’t expecting much.

The crew uniform looked sharp though!

A flight attendant stands in the aisle of an airplane adjusting an overhead compartment while passengers are seated.

The boxed meal concept was a pleasant surprise.

It had a hot meal (no choice) with chicken, rice, and a small box containing yoghurt, bread, and a spicy sauce to add to your meal, which really improved the taste.

For a short flight, this was more than adequate.

Airplane meal on a tray table with a sealed foil container, a red and brown cardboard box, a cup of orange juice, and a napkin.
An airline meal on a tray with rice, chicken, vegetables, a bread roll, dessert, a cup of orange juice, wooden cutlery, and a napkin on an airplane seat tray table.
A meal box on an airplane tray contains a bread roll, packets of snacks, and a cup of yogurt. The box displays Chinese text, a QR code, and an illustrated character.

Haikou to Melbourne (9 hours)

Here’s where Hainan really stands out.

Thirty minutes after takeoff, meal service began with printed bilingual menus showing three dinner options.

A fold-out airline menu listing dinner options, snacks available during the flight, and beverage choices in both English and Chinese.

I chose the chicken with fresh green pepper, pumpkin, green beans, and steamed rice.

An airline meal on a tray includes a bread roll, packaged butter, a salad, dessert, and a red-covered main dish, set on a fold-down seat tray with patterned seats in the background.

It came with a chicken breast salad and red velvet cheesecake for dessert.

I love it when airlines make their own desserts instead of serving pre-packaged items; it shows they actually care about the food they’re putting in front of you.

Airplane meal with chicken and rice, bread roll with butter, green beans, pickled vegetables, salad, a dessert slice, and a cutlery pack on a tray table.
A can of Pepsi with Chinese text and a plastic cup containing ice cubes are placed on an airplane tray table.
A paper cup with the Hainan Airlines logo containing a beverage sits on an airplane tray table; reminiscent of air france food review photos, a passenger's leg and seatback are visible in the background.

The spicy sauce they offered made everything taste better – a simple touch that actually worked. It shows they’re thinking about flavour, not just providing food.

The crew also did a second round of drinks, and I requested hot chocolate without any fuss.

The whole service took 1 hour 25 minutes from start to finish, which felt reasonable for a full meal service across economy.

Between meals, passengers could help themselves to snacks from wicker baskets in the galley.

Two baskets on an airplane galley counter hold snacks including Lay’s chips, chocolate bars, crackers, and bottled water. An airline information card is also visible.

Second Service

2.5 hours before landing in Melbourne, they did another service.

This meal was similar to what I had on the Bangkok leg, but the box included fresh fruit and a smoked beef, tomato, bell pepper, and corn salad.

A meal tray on an airplane tray table with a foil-covered dish, a bread roll on a napkin, a box, and a cup of orange juice.
Airline meal tray with noodles and beef, vegetables, bread roll, juice, utensils, and a packaged dessert, served on an airplane seatback tray table.

I picked the fried noodles with beef and shiitake – of the two meal services, this was my favourite main.

Amenities

On the longer sector, amenity kits were available.

The red blankets were surprisingly thick and warm, better than the thin sheets most airlines provide.

The pillows also provided decent support, although nothing revolutionary.

Airplane tray table with a red pouch, sleep mask, face towel, toothbrush set, and earplugs, with a seat pocket and safety card in the background.
A paper cutout of a cartoon airplane, labeled "HA!" and with Chinese text, hangs by a string from a metal latch on a light gray textured surface.
A red translucent travel pouch with zigzag patterns and the text "FLY YOUR DREAMS" on an airplane tray table.
A red pillow and blanket are placed on an airplane seat, with the blanket partially covered by a white plastic bag.
Two bottles labeled "Hand Soap" and "Hand Cream" are placed on a gray countertop with a bilingual sign in the background.

The amenity kit itself was basic but functional – eye mask, toothbrush set, and socks in a simple pouch.

Nothing fancy, but covers the essentials for a long flight.

The Crew

The crew were excellent.

Professional service without being over the top, and they handled requests like hot chocolate without making it feel like a big deal.

They seemed to genuinely care about doing a good job.

View of an airplane cabin with red seats, in-flight entertainment screens, a food and beverage service cart in the aisle, and a passenger wearing white Crocs.
Rows of airplane seats with personal entertainment screens, passengers seated, and cabin crew visible in the aisle of a commercial aircraft.
Rows of airplane seats with individual screens displaying a welcome message; passengers are seated, and overhead compartments are closed.

There were some language barriers; you won’t get into detailed conversations with them.

Some crew members were more confident with English than others.

But, they’re polite and the service quality was consistently high throughout.

Conclusion

Hainan Airlines is doing something right with its economy service.

Three meal choices, printed menus, amenity kits, and a crew that cares, that’s more than most airlines bother with these days.

The Haikou transit is inconvenient, but if the fare’s competitive and you don’t mind the extra stop, this is solid value.

The meal service alone beats what you’ll get on many direct flights.

Chinese airlines have been stepping up their game lately, and Hainan’s meal service is proof that preconceptions don’t always match reality

About Hainan Airlines

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