It’s not unusual to see hotel groups and airlines partner, given that those who stay at hotels frequently may also be frequent flyers, and vice versa. For example, American and Hyatt have a partnership, and United and Marriott have a partnership.
Continue reading: Hainan Airlines’ “IHG Explorer” Plane: Odd, But Sort Of Cool?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The headrest covers look particularly awful.
Really just looks cheap/tacky.
The thing is, there would be a way to do this more tastefully. And the livery looks interesting. But yeah, the interior just reminds me of US Airways back when they were a thing.
Chinese airlines' special colours have a long way to go. At least the exterior kinda gives the Cathay Pacific's 'Asia's World City' or 'The Spirit of Hong Kong' vibes, but the interior design is... the overhead bin adverts look like what Ryanair was doing back in the days.
I've been keeping an eye on this plane for a while now, had no idea they actually decked out the interior. Although I will agree they could've been a bit more creative and less tacky with the headrests. Hopefully I have a chance to track this one down soon.
The flowery language is fluff but so is any overuse of the word "gorgeous". The plane's interior is not gorgeous.
Slightly off topic, but I flew Hainan from Chengdu to JFK about 7 years ago and it was hands-down the worst business-class flight of my life. Airport and lounge was uninspiring, the food on board was miserable, service was non-existent, the wine tasted like grape juice and nail polish remover, and bed bugs left bite marks all over my body upon arrival. I know it's been discussed before, but how these clowns have a 5* skytrax rating is absolutely absurd.
The plane will be painted in the IHG Explorer livery, “with IHG’s iconic deep blue colour”????
B-1499 has been painted in the IHG livery for months already.
You lack knowledge and information about Hainan air's presence. You often discuss it in detail when talking about western or gulf airlines such as legacy carriers or what. However, if you looked at how they compare to other airlines and what type of customer uses them then this could give you an idea for the details behind the partnership and why they may want to do it.
Don't know about 7 years ago, but when I flew them last year on the 787 in Business Class it was roughly equivalent to CX before the downward spiral after Covid. Lounge in Haikou was excellent also.
IHG is the dumbest name of all the hotel groups.
Seriously an acronym??
Branding stupidity