The first segment from Prague to Beijing was a pleasant surprise. The Airbus A330-300 in Super Diamond configuration offered solid privacy and very decent sleeping comfort.

But on the route from Beijing to Bangkok, the same type of aircraft awaited us - and yet a completely different experience.

Hainan Airlines' business class on the PEK-BKK route is also operated by an Airbus A330-300, but this time in a different Stelia Solstys configuration. And it is the difference in cabin that is crucial.

👉 If you haven't read the first part of the journey, I recommend starting here: Hainan Airlines A330-300 Business Class PRG-PEK: 5★ or just marketing?

A quick overview of the flight

• Beijing (PEK) - Bangkok (BKK)
• Aircraft: Airbus A330-300, registration B-6539
• Configuration: 1-2-1 (Stelis Solstys)
• Flight duration: 5 hours
• Price of the whole ticket PRG-BKK: 1 200 eur
• My rating for this segment: 5/10

👉 Compare current business class prices to Bangkok at skyscanner.com

This business class configuration is worse than the previous flight, but still significantly better than the Airbus A330-200 or Boeing 737.

Beijing transfer and lounge

We had about 5.5 hours to make the connection.

A detailed description of the transit without a visa can be found in a separate article:

• 👉 Transfer through China without a visa - complete instructions
• 👉 Detailed guide to Beijing PEK airport

We spent time in the Hainan Airlines lounge, which is part of the business product.

The lounge was actually quite comfortable with plenty of different types of seats from comfy armchairs to standard dining tables.

There is also a spacious and clean shower available, which I personally can especially appreciate between long flights.

The food offerings are rather below average, but that didn't bother us at all as we were in "sleeping" mode anyway.

Stelia Solstys cabin: less privacy than Super Diamond

Similar to our arrival from Prague, this time we also take the bus to the plane.

But now there is a special bus for business class passengers and priority boarding.

At first glance, business class on the Airbus A330-300 looks very similar to the PRG-PEK flight.

The 1-2-1 configuration remains, with everyone having aisle access.

How do you know ahead of time which configuration you will fly?

By looking at the seating chart directly on the Hainan Airlines website when you buy your ticket.

This is what the less comfortable and older configuration of the Solstys we're flying on this flight to Bangkok looks like:

And this is the more modern Super Diamond cabin we flew on a previous flight from Prague:

The Stelia Solstys configuration offers less separation from its surroundings and feels more open. The plastic elements are lower, the space less enveloping and the overall feeling of privacy weaker.

If you've flown the Super Diamond configuration, you'll feel the difference immediately.

If you're flying in a pair, this configuration has the slight advantage of having every other row in the middle with seats close together. Unfortunately, they are separated by a solid screen about shoulder height, which cannot be removed in any way.

The other rows, on the other hand, have seats further apart, but are considerably closer to the aisle.

The same problem applies to the individual window seats - every other row has a seat closer to the window, while every odd row has a seat closer to the aisle.

For a regional 5-hour flight to Bangkok, this configuration is not a problem. For a long-haul flight, however, it would be a noticeable aggravation.

Seat and comfort on a shorter flight

The seat itself is actually quite comfortable - it can recline to a completely horizontal position, which is essential in business class.

There is plenty of legroom, but the space feels less "premium" as the width and overall space around the seat is noticeably less than on the previous flight with a more modern configuration.

The closed cocoon feeling that the "Super Diamond" layout offered is missing.

Even though this is a purely daytime flight with departure at 9:00 and arrival at 14:00, the crew darkens the cabin immediately after the meal (lowers all window shades). And since we've already had over 15 hours of travel, we're happy to recline our seats for 2 hours.

I sleep much worse though, the narrower seat than the previous flight really shows.

Amenity kit and equipment

There was no amenity kit bag on this 5 hour flight.

We were only allowed to use a blanket and headphones (both of which you are not allowed to take off the plane), as well as slippers.

Even though this is only a regional flight, I kind of automatically expected an amenity kit from an airline that presents itself as a 5*.

Food on a regional route

Service is quicker and easier than on a flight from Prague.

A welcome drink with nuts is served before take-off - water / cocktail / champagne / juice.

After take-off, the main meal follows, which is similar in taste to what we have experienced on the previous segment - more Chinese style, less distinctive presentation.

For a shorter flight, the menu is sufficient, but no gastronomic experience takes place.

We order a cocktail mid-flight.

There is no small snack before landing, but I at least order a coffee in the form of a pretty good Orange Coconut Espresso.

IFE and the lack of Wi-Fi

The Airbus A330-300 on this route has a classic in-flight entertainment system with a touchscreen.

The content selection is sufficient (same as on the PRG-PEK flight), but the interface has an older feel. Control is possible via remote control.

Wi-Fi is not available on board the Airbus A330-300, which may be less essential on a regional route, but I find it quite a shame in 2026.

Crew

Service was correct and prompt. However, as on the previous flight, the personal level was lacking.

No fault. No problem. But no memorable moment either.

And it is here that the difference between the marketing label "5★ airline" and the reality is still noticeable.

Arrival in Bangkok

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport, the exit was standard via jet bridge. The queue for immigration control was quite long this time, taking around 30 minutes.

Our luggage was already tagged with a priority tag in Prague and indeed on the conveyor belt it was among the first to go out.

If you are planning to continue on to the city centre or islands, I recommend our detailed guides:

• 🏙️ Bangkok - what to see and where to stay
• 🏝️ Koh Samui - where to stay
• 🌴 Koh Phangan - tips and beaches

Best hotels in Bangkok here

Verdict

Same airline. Same plane. Different feeling.

The Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-300 in the Stelia Solstys configuration offers a fully flat bed and solid comfort. Compared to the first segment out of Prague, however, the privacy is weaker and the overall feel less premium.

For the price of a full ticket 1 200 eur, this combination still makes sense.

However, if I were to rate this segment separately, it is very below average business class in terms of Asian competition, but still slightly above average business class in terms of Chinese competition.

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