Hainan Airlines
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Tight on the drinks for a long haul return leg. limited food and entertainment
Reasonably good value airline but expect some Chinese cultural bias on behaviour. I.e westerners usually like a glass of red wine on a flight to make it easier or relaxing but if you ask for a glass they will give you a 50ml measure , ask for more and they will think you will get drunk. (This was her words to me in Chinese on the long haul leg beijing -manchester) Very strange perspective or perhaps just the airline is very tight /mean on the amount it wants to spend on alcohol. Main meal food was quite reasonable, but don't expect any familiar western snacks like cheese as stated on the menu between service. Either it's poor quality and even that runs out. Entertainment system also is mostly useless, headphones sound quality bad , and video selection too. Bring your own entertainment ahead of time. Generally I got the feeling that on this airline they don't like passengers to drink and does feel like a chore for them to provide it. I overheard their conversation about me in Chinese which I speak fluently and it felt pretty judgemental by the young air steward. Changeover in Beijing also requires checkout / re entry through immigration, no seamless transfer. If other airlines are available without too high a cost id recommend other alternatives. The outward leg to china was better than the return , the return flight really did feel like all I had to do was sit and watch the plane map while sipping my orange juice. 我在飞机上和服务员说过我的想法，她还是客气拒绝我说担心我们会喝醉了，花了11个小时喝一杯/两杯50ml 红酒所有人不可能喝醉。我也对她很客气，但是发现飞机上小男生还要说我是个酒鬼。 感觉这航空公司不是很了解外国人。