Hainan Airlines Awarded the SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline Designation for the 8th Consecutive Year at 2018 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards

LONDON, July 18, 2018 /CNW/ -- SKYTRAX, the leading global airline and airport review and ranking site, today announced the winners of the 2018 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards during a coveted ceremony at The Langham Hotel in London. Hainan Airlines Holding Co., Ltd. ("Hainan Airlines") was named a SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline for the eighth consecutive year, in addition to being awarded Best Business Class Amenities, Best Airline China, and Best Airlines Staff in China designations. After joining the roster of SKYTRAX World's Top 10 Airlines for the first time in 2017, the airline moved up the rankings to claim eighth place this year, becoming the first mainland China-based airline to win the honour for the second year in a row.

SKYTRAX, a prestigious global provider of research and consulting services with a focus on airline and airport services, publishes an annual ranking of the world's airlines and airports and is highly recognized by industry players and travellers around the world. The selection of SKYTRAX World's Top10 Airlines is based on a poll of 24.45 million travellers from over 100 countries. The SKYTRAX awards are considered the Oscars of the aviation industry. The compilation of the list is based on a comprehensive airline passenger satisfaction survey which asks passengers to rate every aspect of an airline's products and services, in-flight entertainment and onboard food services as well as other facilities and services.

During the award ceremony, SKYTRAX chairman Edward Plaisted said while presenting the awards to HNA Group Chairman Chen Feng, "Hainan Airlines is one of the world's fastest growing airlines. Today, the carrier is honoured with the designation as a SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline for the eighth consecutive year and rises to eighth place within SKYTRAX World's Top 10 Airlines rankings, a pair of designations demonstrating the quality of the airline's operations. In addition to being at the vanguard of aviation services, Hainan Airlines regularly receives positive feedback from global travellers as the brand continues to enhance its position in the market."

Mr. Chen said during the event, "Winning the SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline award for the eigth consecutive year and reaching eighth place in the SKYTRAX World's Top 10 Airlines ranking is a testament to the quality of our service and our tireless commitment to achieving the highest standards of flight safety. With its roots in China, Hainan Airlines is committed to becoming one of the world's top airlines and a globally recognized iconic Chinese brand. We have created a world-class aviation brand that strives for excellence in service by ensuring on-time arrivals and departures,  providing an innovative in-flight experience and leveraging the Beauty of the Orient brand image. This is made possible by the passion we put into everything we do, effective team collaboration and a passenger-centric approach to service." 

As an international carrier, Hainan Airlines is committed to building a world-class brand with meticulously crafted services. The company continues to innovate its products and upgrade its services with a focus on environmental protection, safety and intelligence, and the goal of providing passengers worldwide with a travel experience well beyond their expectations. Hainan Airlines remains committed to improving the air travel experience for passengers by expanding its fleet with Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A330s, among other wide-body aircraft, upgrading the passenger cabins and devices - including equipping the business class cabins with the Reverse Fishbone seat layout - and providing gourmet and bespoke dining experiences as part of its on board Haichef culinary service. Additionally, the company has also launched HaiDream, a series of high-end offerings for the comfort of passengers, including the DreamFeather sleep products designed in concert with Sofitel, as well as new toiletries from Clarins and Samsonite. As part of its efforts in upgrading ground services and facilities, Hainan Airlines has recently rolled out a series of HNAClub VIP lounges that have already open for business, including the Prime Wings Lounge, located at Beijing and Xi'an airports and available to Hainan Airlines guests awaiting international flights, and HNA Club, a VIP lounge at Xi'an and Hangzhou airports that serves passengers waiting for domestic flights. Hainan Airlines is also responding to the special needs of passengers by upgrading its offerings, allowing the use of portable electronic devices on board and permitting travelling with pets in the passenger cabin.

On the back of the success in bringing the airline into full compliance with international standards, Hainan Airlines is also expanding its network of international routes. In line with the Chinese government's One Belt, One Road initiative, the airline is becoming a key transportation provider for the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road by launching over 100 air routes to countries and regions targeted by the initiative. In the first half of 2018, the company rolled out several long-haul international services, among them, Haikou-Sydney, Shenzhen-Brussels, Shenzhen-Madrid, Changsha-London and Shenzhen-Tianjin-Vancouver. The launch of further routes, including Guangzhou-Tel Aviv, Shenzhen-Zurich and Shenzhen-Vienna, is scheduled to follow in the second half.

During 2018, Hainan Airlines will continue expanding its global network of air routes and further enhance and grow the international brand. As part of HNA Group's mission, Hainan Airlines continues to build an air-bridge comprised of interconnected routes to countries and regions, improve its services and products, continually upgrade passenger experience, aid in the conversion of Hainan into a pilot free-trade zone, join other players in the civil aviation sector to support the development of the country as well as better respond to the evolving needs of passengers.

SOURCE Hainan Airlines Holding Co., LTD.

Jun Zhang, [phone]