Hainan Airlines’ “IHG Explorer” Plane: Odd, But Sort Of Cool?

Hainan Airlines’ “IHG Explorer” Plane: Odd, But Sort Of Cool?

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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.

Along those lines, IHG Hotels and Hainan Airlines have just unveiled details of a new two-year partnership. However, this seems to be more focused on marketing than actually substantive benefits, so I’m mainly writing about this because there’s a cool-looking special livery plane as part of this.

Basics of the IHG & Hainan Airlines partnership

IHG Hotels and Hainan Airlines have launched a partnership, with the most exciting aspect of this being the new “IHG Explorer” aircraft, which is a special Boeing 787:

  • The plane will be painted in the IHG Explorer livery, “with IHG’s iconic deep blue colour”
  • The cabin’s overhead bins will be decked in custom decals
  • The business class cabin will feature custom lumbar pillows co-created by the HUALUXE brand and Chinese artist Chen Jiu
  • The plane will feature a co-branded safety video, “that blends IHG’s extensive and varied brand portfolio into essential flight safety instructions”
  • In business class, food will be introduced from Chinese restaurant brand Cai Feng Lou — the first menu will be called “Cloud Banquet: Springtime Island Delights,” and will blend classic Cantonese dishes with flavors from Hainan

I find this to be rather strange. So the airline and hotel group are partnering to make one plane IHG specific? And they’re introducing special catering and a special safety video just for it? Will the aircraft be assigned a specific route, or will this be a surprise and delight offering? This just seems like a lot of effort.

Also, am I the only one who finds plastering overhead bins with advertising decals to be more in line with what you’d expect on Ryanair, rather than something giving the impression of a “richly integrated travel experience?”

IHG and Hainan Airlines claim that they’ll introduce more member benefits during the second quarter of 2024, “offering IHG One Rewards and Fortune Wings Club members a range of exciting experiences.” You’d think that you would start with that, rather than a special plane, but to each their own…

Hainan Airlines’ IHG Explorer plane exterior
Hainan Airlines’ IHG Explorer plane interior
Hainan Airlines’ IHG Explorer plane dining

Are travel press releases just getting more ridiculous?

While we’re on this topic, can I just point out how virtually every press release from a travel brand nowadays seems to use every buzzword imaginable? For example, from this press release:

  • “IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) proudly announces a dynamic partnership with Hainan Airlines that offers a richly integrated travel experience across both air and land”
  • “Together, IHG and Hainan Airlines are reimagining travel by incorporating diverse cultural elements into guests’ journeys, while driving the development of tourism through personalised experiences”
  • “The partnership has seen the debut of the ‘IHG Explorer’ aircraft, which represents the ongoing commitment of both companies to deliver delightful travel experiences that are full of surprises for passengers”
  • “The video highlights a myriad of captivating destinations of the group in China, heightening guests’ excitement for an exceptional journey”
  • “Amidst a thriving culinary tourism market, guests are increasingly drawn to unique dining experiences and cultural immersions”

The only thing missing here is talking about AI transforming the industry, since that’s also a buzzword nowadays. But maybe that’s because this press release was written by AI? I don’t know.

Bottom line

IHG Hotels & Resorts and China’s Hainan Airlines have launched a two-year partnership. While there might actually be some real benefits announced in the future, so far we’ve only learned about the IHG Explorer plane, which will be a Boeing 787 with an IHG livery, IHG branding all over the cabin, an IHG safety video, and special catering.

While I love creative plane branding, like EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jet, I’d have a hard time getting excited about this. “Look, we’re on the plane with the advertising all over the cabin, yay!”

What do you make of Hainan Airlines’ IHG Explorer plane?

Conversations (11)
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  1. Jill Que Guest

    IHG is the dumbest name of all the hotel groups.

    Seriously an acronym??

    Branding stupidity

  2. RF Diamond

    I see they are going for the metro/subway aesthetic with the ads on the bins.

  3. iamhere Guest

    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.

  4. LEo Diamond

    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.

    https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-ihg-one-rewards-intercontinental-ambassador/2149055-new-partnership-hna.html

  5. Jacques Portgieter Guest

    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.

    1. Ripty Guest

      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.

  6. derek Guest

    The flowery language is fluff but so is any overuse of the word "gorgeous". The plane's interior is not gorgeous.

  7. Emil Guest

    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.

  8. JN Guest

    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.

  9. Grey Diamond

    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.

    1. UncleRonnie Diamond

      Looks like the inside of a London Tube train, adverts all over the sides.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Jill Que Guest

IHG is the dumbest name of all the hotel groups. Seriously an acronym?? Branding stupidity

1
Ripty Guest

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.

1
iamhere Guest

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.

1
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