Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA Image : Tao Ran
At 8.16 am on 16 November 2025, Hainan Airlines flight HU7382, operated by its brand-new Airbus A330-900 aircraft, took off from Beijing Capital International Airport for Haikou and successfully completing its maiden commercial flight and marking the official entry of Hainan Airlines' A330neo aircraft into service.
On 29 October 2025, local time in Toulouse, France, Hainan Airlines received a brand-new Airbus A330 aircraft. Upon arrival at Haikou Meilan International Airport, the aircraft was officially commissioned with a water salute, the highest level of civil aviation courtesy. Subsequently, the aircraft participated in the Airbus A330 family of new aircraft roadshow, visiting important hubs such as Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Chengdu Shuangliu,and Beijing Capital International Airport.
The newly introduced Airbus A330 aircraft by Hainan Airlines has a total of 301 seats, including 24 business class seats and 277 economy class seats. To ensure a comfortable journey for passengers in all classes, the cabin layout features a 1-2-1 staggered arrangement in business class, ensuring direct access to the aisle for every passenger. This provides both convenience and privacy, while also allowing for greater freedom of movement. Economy class seats offer a 30-34 inch legroom, providing passengers with ample legroom. Notably, the economy class seats on Hainan Airlines' new A330 are domestically produced by the aviation industry, marking the first time domestically produced seats have been included in the selection criteria for mainstream international wide-body aircraft.
Furthermore, Hainan Airlines' highly acclaimed "Dream Feather" cabin interior design has been fully implemented on this new Airbus A330 aircraft, creating a warm and soothing sensory experience through its color scheme, lighting, and materials. The aircraft is also equipped with industry-leading 4K ultra-high-definition screens, and all cabins support high-power USB-C ports and Bluetooth connectivity, comprehensively upgrading the entertainment and charging experience.
The new A330neo of Hainan Airlines has a maximum range increased by 700 nautical miles compared to its predecessor, providing the fleet with a more diverse range gradient and allowing for more flexible route planning and capacity allocation. In terms of operational economy and environmental performance, the new aircraft is highly aligned with Hainan Airlines' green and sustainable development philosophy. The new A330 is equipped with the next-generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine, which, with its higher bypass ratio, reduces fuel consumption per unit thrust by more than 10%, correspondingly reducing carbon emissions. This plays a crucial supporting role in achieving environmental goals such as the Carbon Offset and Reduction Initiative in International Aviation (CORSIA).
Furthermore, the engine employs advanced acoustic design, combined with a larger diameter fan and optimized air intakes and nozzles, resulting in a noise level reduction of more than 6 dB compared to its predecessor and a noise footprint reduction of nearly 50%. Simultaneously, the A330neo has been certified to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) with a blend ratio of up to 50%, and is expected to support 100% SAF in the future, further reducing its life-cycle carbon footprint.
Recently, Hainan Airlines' A330neo aircraft is scheduled to initially operate two premium express routes: Beijing-Haikou HU7382, HU7281 and Beijing-Hangzhou HU7677, HU7678 (flight information subject to change). Passengers are welcome to experience these services. Subsequently, the new aircraft is expected to be deployed on approximately 15 key long-haul routes to Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East, continuously expanding and increasing the density of the "Air Silk Road" network. In addition, it will also serve Hainan Airlines' premium express routes and Free Trade Port express routes, further strengthening the efficient connection between international and domestic route networks.
Hainan Airlines currently operates nine premium express routes, covering flights between Beijing Capital and Guangzhou/Shenzhen/Haikou/Sanya/Changsha/Shanghai/Hangzhou/Chengdu/Chongqing. Hainan Airlines' premium express routes offer passengers a higher quality and more efficient travel experience through comprehensive service upgrades. Premium Express flights are primarily operated by wide-body aircraft with evenly distributed schedules to meet flexible travel needs. Dedicated check-in counters and security lanes are available at select airports, effectively reducing waiting time. The cabin service is warm and attentive, featuring regional specialty meals for a five-star flying experience. Premium Express also offers flexible ticket change policies, and Golden Wings members can enjoy exclusive benefits such as bonus qualifying segments and fast upgrades.
