Hainan Airlines review (Sanya to Guangzhou Boeing 737-800): FIRST CLASS

Route: Sanya Phoenix airport to Guangzhou Baiyun airport

Departure date and time of flight: 23:35pm, March 2011

Flight Number: HU7021

Flight duration: 1 hour and 5 minutes

Class: FIRST CLASS

Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800NG

Punctuality of the flight:

The flight departed on time and landed on time.

Any baggage issues:

No issues- the bags arrived on time and in one piece.

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues:

Phoenix airport is a small airport that caters mostly for domestic flights within China. Despite around five flights scheduled to depart in the late evening there were, however, only two check-in staff members. I was lucky to be travelling First Class as I was allowed to jump the queue to check my baggage. However, if I was travelling Economy Class, then it may have been another story. 

The First Class lounge at Phoenix airport:

The Phoenix First Class lounge seemed to be a bit empty when it came to providing decent food and drinks. The fridge was effectively clean dry, there were no alcoholic drinks, and it was not quiet either. Instead, there was a loud TV-set playing state-owned news. I must say that the electronic massage chairs laid out on the main concourse for non-First Class passengers seemed more comfortable than any of the seats in the First Class lounge! Even though you would have to pay for those but it would be well worth every single Yuan spent!

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Just non-alcoholic drinks, tea, or coffee. The tea and coffee were served on bone china cutlery.

Comments regarding the first meal:

Just a packet of seaweed coated peanuts and another packet of roasted green peas. Both delicious. For a short flight such as this there was not much you could ask for.

Comments regarding the drinks service:

A second round of drinks were offered after the meal. No alcohol, but plenty of milk, coffee, and tea.

Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any):


None

Comments regarding the second meal (if any):


None

Comments on the in-flight system (if any):

None

Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew:

The cabin crew were OK and polite. Just a normal flight, without any incidents. Blankets and slippers were offered to those travelling in first class. The crew were really nice. Even the captain came out of the cockpit prior to departure to say hello to the first class passengers.

Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): 

The Boeing 737-800 on Hainan Airlines has a 2-2 configuration with 12 seats in First Class, and a 3-3 configuration with 150 seats in Economy Class. The First Class seat has a 76-inch recline so effectively can be very comfortable for short-haul, medium-haul, or long-haul flights.

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 9