Hainan J Brisbane-Brussels $3009

[MikaD]

I promise my last thread for a bit, been spending a lot of time researching 2 upcoming europe trips...

Found this -
Hainan Airways J Brisbane-Brussels, a330 and 787 - Google Flights

Once you click through to Hainan site price will change to $3009 aud. Books as I class fare, departure needs to be on a Monday with return on a Tuesday, availability until 31/12/18. The 18 hour layover in Shenzen on return seems sadly unavoidable.

Also worth noting the codeshare arrangements with Virgin Australia announced here: Virgin Australia to expand its presence in Greater China under new codeshare with Hainan Airlines & expanded frequent flyer partnership with all reciprocal arrangements (in theory).

Velocity Earn (correct me if I'm wrong here please):
25,300 points (1.25 Velocity points per mile)
560 Status credits - I class fare (120 bne-szx, 160 szx-bru)

Also availabe one way BNE-BRU (26 hours) for $1856, potentially great partner for a return redemption and avoid the long shenzen layover on the way back

edit: Seats for all legs came up as 2-2-2 so seems to be the new a330 product

 

[Lemon_Party]

Great find - thanks for sharing!

 

[MikaD]

Also available mel-cdg for $3089. Depart on a Sat return on Sun. Routes via xi'an.

 

[jase05]

Tha

Also available mel-cdg for $3089. Depart on a Sat return on Sun. Routes via xi'an.

Thats a great price. A stopover in Xi’an is an added bonus. Hainan gets no real complaints from me regarding comfort, service etc. When we last flew with them there was some talk that some a330’s were on their way towards the end of last year that featured the reverse herringbone 1-2-1 J class. That would be great if that had made its way to those legs

 

[FL360]

some crazy J fares too, SYD LHR Christmas / NY time... under AUD 4,000, their J class is similar to CX..

QF sometimes charges over 2k for LHR Xmas / NY time for Y !

 

[Robert K]

you guys are more adventurous than I.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Great fare! Worth noting that that TWOV is not available in shenzhen (SZX), so you may wish to avoid schenzhen if there are ultra long layovers.

It is also not possible to use Sxhenzhen as a first port of entry for a multi stop itinerary in China (transit visa on arrival, allowing 24 hours of multi stops). So if the flight lands in Shenzhen but offers other connections in china to get you to europe, you’ll need a visa in advance.

 

[BAM1748]

Good find, not an airline I've flown and not the list to fly any time soon. But for some no doubt a good deal.

 

[Saltywings]

Awesome find! I've flown Hainan once in J and my parents collectively 6 times. It's pretty much the best mainland Chinese airline; it's the only one that isn't deserving of the mainland Chinese carrier stereotype.

• Full turndown service
• Competent staff with full grasp of English
• PJs, in a very nice understated Oriental style are provided, which are on par with QF's imo - my parents use them as their actual PJs at home. No kidding.
• A nice amenity kit - not as luxe as Qatar, better than Qantas'
• Food presentation is pretty much the best I've seen in J - on par with Qatar's/JL's kaiseki-style plating. I only wish I kept the photos!

The only downside I remember was that the seat in bed mode wasn't particularly comfortable - I've certainly slept better on other J products.

 

[aussiejohn]

Didn't we read recently that Hainan Group is not in good financial shape? Could be a bit risky booking too far out if that is the case.

 

[BAM1748]

Didn't we read recently that Hainan Group is not in good financial shape? Could be a bit risky booking too far out if that is the case.

Spot on, it's hard to say on the time for the bookings, I'd be keeping it to less than month.

 

[FL360]

Hainan Group is not in good financial shape

credit card chargeback is always at your disposal,

I booked with aloha ages ago and I got full charge back from credit card company when they are shut.