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China's Hainan Airlines Announces Introductory Business Class Fare for Nonstop Flights Between Seattle and Beijing

Posted on: Friday, 16 May 2008, 00:00 CDT

Hainan Airlines, China's largest non-government-owned carrier (airline code: HU), today announced an introductory business-class fare for travel on its new nonstop route from Seattle to Beijing. The non-refundable, non-transferable round-trip fare is US$2,260, including fuel and security surcharges but not including up to $250 for government taxes and fees and the September 11th security fee. Special fares for connecting flights from Portland, Boise, Las Vegas, Spokane, Austin, Dallas, San Diego, St. Louis and a number of other U.S. cities are also available. Seats are limited, and some restrictions apply.

Additionally, Hainan Airlines is offering special business-class fares to travelers who wish to extend their trips from Seattle to other select Chinese cities that the airline serves from Beijing, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou. The dates for travel using these special fares coincide with a number of summer events taking place in China.

Passengers may book reservations either through a travel agent or by calling the toll-free line 1-888-688-8813 for English speakers or 1-888-688-8876 for Chinese speakers. Hainan Airlines currently accepts Visa, MasterCard, UATP and Diner's Club. Travelers must book reservations by July 16, 2008, and originate travel in Seattle between June 9 and July 31, 2008. Return flights must depart no later than October 31, 2008. The minimum stay is five days; the maximum stay is three months. Tickets must be issued within seven days of reservation. For more information about Hainan Airlines' special pricing for flights from North America to China, please visit www.hnair.com/us.

"Hainan Airlines is delighted to extend this special fare to our new business customers so that they can experience first-hand what makes Hainan Airlines service so exceptional," said Joel Chusid, Hainan Airlines' North American general manager.

When it begins operations this summer, Hainan Airlines will be the only carrier to offer nonstop service between Seattle and Beijing. Initial flights will be on new Airbus A330-200 aircraft with two classes of service: 36 business-class seats and 186 seats in economy.

Through its extensive network in China, Hainan Airlines can connect Seattle travelers to more than 40 Chinese cities from Beijing, including Shanghai, Guangzhou and the capital of every province. The nonstop flight from Seattle to Beijing will be a prime connector for neighboring Northwest markets, such as Spokane, Portland, Boise, Denver and Las Vegas, none of which has nonstop service to China.

The nonstop flight will operate four times weekly: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Flight HU 495 will depart from Beijing at 4:20 p.m. and arrive in Seattle at noon the same day. Flight HU 496 will depart from Seattle at 2:00 p.m. and arrive in Beijing at 4:35 p.m. the following day.

The approximately 11.5-hour nonstop flight from Seattle to Beijing will save roughly four to six hours of travel time by avoiding layovers when connecting through other airports such as Vancouver, B.C., or San Francisco. The return flight from Beijing to Seattle is only 10.5 hours.

Among in-flight amenities are a meal program that is tailored to both Western and Chinese palates, the latest in-flight entertainment technology including personal touch screens for movies in every seat, and 180-degree, flat-reclining seats in business class. Another Hainan Airlines hallmark featured on each flight is seated, in-flight yoga.

Hainan Airlines has appointed AirWorld Inc. as its general sales agent for North America. In addition to the toll-free reservation and information numbers, AirWorld will provide reservations, sales and ticketing from convenient offices in New York City, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver, B.C., to best serve passengers and travel agents.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A high-resolution photo of a Hainan Airlines plane is available on request.

About Hainan Airlines

Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines currently is the fourth-largest carrier in China and the largest non-government-owned airline in China. Hainan Airlines is known for its award-winning customer service, impeccable safety record and on-time performance. Hainan Airlines carries more than 14 million passengers annually. Hainan Airlines currently flies to more than 60 domestic and international cities, including the capitals of every Chinese province. Hainan Airlines' international flights include Budapest, Brussels, Osaka and St. Petersburg.

The toll-free North American reservation and information numbers will connect travelers to both native English and Chinese speakers to assist them with their travel needs. The toll-free number for English speakers is 1-888-688-8813, and the toll-free number for Chinese speakers is 1-888-688-8876. For more information on Hainan Airlines' North American flights, please visit www.hnair.com/us.

Source: Business Wire

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