Hainan Airlines Wins Prestigious 5-Star Rating From SKYTRAX

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Jan 13, 2011, 06:30 ET

BEIJING, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Hainan Airlines was awarded the honor of a "SKYTRAX Five-Star Airline" at a gala awards ceremony in Beijing. The award was presented by SKYTRAX President Edward Plaisted to Hainan Airlines President Wang Yingming. With this award, Hainan Airlines officially becomes the world's seventh five-star airline.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110113/CN29619)

London-based SKYTRAX, a research and certification organization for the air transportation industry founded in 1989, evaluates more than 200 airlines around the world each year in regards to their service quality. The star rankings reflect the customer experience – not just the platform of product standards offered by an airline such as cabin seating, in-flight entertainment and catering, but the assessment of service quality – using a rating system made up of more than 800 different areas of product and service delivery for each airline. As a global leader in the industry, SKYTRAX offers the most professional evaluation and rating services. Star ratings for the airline industry can vary from one to five stars, with "five stars" being the highest rating.

Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines has grown into a successful international airline offering personalized and gracious service. It was the first mainland Chinese airline to be awarded SKYTRAX four-star status in 2009. In accordance with SKYTRAX's rigorous evaluation standards and the airlines' own Chinese-style service concept, Hainan Airlines built an international brand through its superior service programs that encompass "convenience, hospitality and surpassing expectations" as its core values. Hainan provides its customers with unique and premium ground and cabin service, in-flight catering and entertainment based on diversified customer needs. As a result of its exceptional brand values and service, Hainan Airlines transitioned from four-star to five-star status in just one year, a significant achievement. Hainan Airlines is one of the airlines in the HNA Group of companies.

At the SKYTRAX award ceremony, HNA Group Chairman Mr. Chen Feng said, "By winning the 'SKYTRAX five-star award', Hainan Airlines now becomes one of the most successful brands in the industry."

SKYTRAX also rated Hainan the best airline in China in 2008 and 2010, and the company has earned numerous awards including the "Customer Satisfaction Award" in the Chinese civil aviation industry repeatedly since 1998. In 2008, it received CCTV's "60 Years- 60 Brands Award", the only airline to be so honored.

Hainan has a large network in China and also throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Beginning January 19, Hainan spreads its wings "down under" to Sydney, Australia.

About Hainan Airlines

Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines is currently the fourth-largest airline in China and the largest private carrier. The airline is known for its award-winning customer service, impeccable safety record and on-time performance. Hainan Airlines has a fleet of Airbus A340, A330 and A320 aircraft as well as Boeing 767 and 737 aircraft. It is a launch customer for the Boeing 787. Hainan Airlines currently flies to more than 90 Chinese and international cities, including the capitals of every Chinese province. Hainan Airlines' international flights include Seattle and Toronto in North America; Luanda, Khartoum and Cairo in Africa; Brussels, Budapest and Berlin in Europe; Dubai; Astana; Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Taipei, Seoul, Hanoi and five cities in Russia. New service to Sydney, Australia begins January 19.