Hainan Airlines expands North American service

BEIJING - China's Hainan Airlines has recently released a plan to improve its international airline network in North American regions.

The airline hopes this move will make it more competitive in the Chinese and North American markets.

Currently, it operates a non-stop route between Beijing and Seattle as well as one from the capital to Toronto. Under its new plan, the airline will roll out more flight options and more diversified services.

The airline will add more flights to the Beijing-Seattle route in 2012. From May 14 to June 9, there will be five daily round-trip flights each week, and the number will increase to seven from June 10 to Oct 27.

The increase in the number of flights improves flight options, according to the airline.

Hainan Airlines will reschedule flights along the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Shanghai routes from Feb 1 to Oct 27, 2012. This will allow more daily connections between any two of the cities along the route, with Beijing as the central hub. By adjusting the flight schedule, the waiting time for transferring will be reduced for travelers from Seattle or Toronto to Shanghai or Guangzhou.

According to Hainan Airlines, the jumbo jet Airbus aircraft that flies the Beijing-Seattle route and the ones on the Beijing-Toronto route boast spacious layouts and delicious food. They are also equipped with modern entertainment systems, which enhances the experience for travelers.

Hainan Airlines and American Airlines recently signed an agreement that allows the two companies to share codes and provide better frequent-flier services.

The agreement will make things more convenient for passengers flying on both airlines by providing them with more options for connecting flights. By sharing more routes, both airlines and their passengers will benefit considerably.

Code sharing will facilitate connecting flights between the two companies. Also, frequent fliers will also be allowed to accumulate miles from both airlines.

Representatives of American Airlines have high expectations for cooperation with Hainan Airlines.

"By working with a powerful partner like Hainan Airlines, American Airlines will enlarge its airline network in China and enhance its market status," according to a statement from American Airlines. "It will also make it convenient for American travelers to go to more of China's cities within (Hainan Airlines') wide network."

Hainan Airlines was named a five-star airline company in 2011 by Skytrax, one of the world's top independent organizations for research and certification of aviation and air transport.

It offers more than 400 domestic and international routes, covering almost 100 cities in Asia as well as cities in Europe, North America, Africa and Oceania.

China Daily