Business class to Thailand at a price that’s usually more in line with a higher-end economy class ticket? That’s exactly what our one-way ticket from Prague to Bangkok, with a stopover in Beijing, seemed like – which we bought for 1 200 eur.

During the Christmas period, however, similar flights tended to cost around 2 000 eur – and we were flying on 26 December, one of the most expensive dates of the year.

The first leg from Prague to Beijing was operated by an older Airbus A330-300, though with a newer configuration than the connecting PEK-BKK segment. The aircraft type can make a difference – particularly if you’re concerned about sleeping comfort, privacy or a specific cabin layout.

According to Skytrax,Hainan Airlines is ranked as a five-star airline. After this flight, however, I would say that five stars is a rather bold rating. The product itself is solid. The overall experience, however, is less so.

Business class on board the Airbus A330-300 from Prague to Beijing is, in fact, a combination of a very solid product and a surprisingly cold experience. Judge for yourselves from our photographs and experiences.

A quick overview of the flight

• Route: Prague (PRG) – Beijing (PEK)
• Aircraft: Airbus A330-300, registration B-1048
• Seatingconfiguration: 1-2-1 (Super Diamond)
• Flight duration: 9.5 hours
• Total fare for PRG–BKK: 1 200 eur
• My rating for this leg: 7/10

👉 Compare current business class fares to Bangkok on skyscanner.com

If a similar price comes up again, it’s a very good deal. However, if you’re expecting a level of service on a par with Etihad Airways, for example, you might be a little disappointed.

Check-in and lounge at Prague Airport

Check-in with Hainan Airlines took place as usual at the business class counters in Terminal 1.

There was hardly any queue, and check-in was quick – nothing out of the ordinary, but it went smoothly.

One positive aspect is that business class passengers have access to a partner lounge in Prague. I was given an invitation at the desk, so we were able to enter the Mastercard Lounge without any issues.

• 👉 My review of the Mastercard Lounge in Terminal 1
• 👉 Services at Prague Airport
• 🏨 Hotel tip opposite Terminal 1 –Courtyard by Marriott Prague Airport ****

Boarding and first impressions of the Airbus A330-300

Boarding took place in order of priority and without delay, strictly according to the groups – first passengers in wheelchairs and families with children, then business class passengers, followed by economy class passengers.

Upon entering the cabin, it is immediately clear that the Airbus A330-300 is no longer one of the newest aircraft in the fleet, but the cabin appears to be well maintained.

First impression? Actually better than I expected. Subconsciously, I tend to pigeonhole Chinese airlines as ‘bad’.

And here it’s clear that there’ll be plenty of privacy, although there’s certainly less space than, say, in Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class, which I tried a few months before this flight.

The cabin and seat on the Airbus A330-300

Hainan Airlines has two types of 1-2-1 configuration on its Airbus A330-300s, with direct aisle access from all seats:

• Super Diamond (this flight)
• Stelia Solstys (which we’ll experience on the PEK–BKK flight)

How can you tell in advance which configuration you’ll be flying in?

Check the seat map directly on the Hainan Airlines website when you’re booking your ticket.

This is what the more comfortable and modern Super Diamond configuration looks like:

And this is what the less comfortable and older Solstys configuration looks like:

The Super Diamond cabin always has a single row of seats along the windows, with each seat facing the window – your head is closer to the aisle, but the view out remains excellent and privacy is provided by a tall plastic partition.

In the middle, there are always two seats, slightly turned so that the passengers’ feet face each other. Ideal if you’re travelling alone.

However, if you’re travelling as a couple and hoping that the pair of seats in the middle will give you some privacy together, you’ll be disappointed. In reality, you won’t be able to see each other at all.

The seats aren’t the latest model, but they offer plenty of space, and of course, they convert into a fully flat bed.

By European standards, this is a slightly above-average ‘hard product’. There is more than enough legroom.

Compared to Qatar’s Qsuite or the latest offerings from Etihad or Emirates, it’s obviously not top of the range, but it’s certainly not below average.

For a 9.5-hour flight from Prague to Beijing, this level of comfort makes perfect sense – especially if you’re flying on to South-East Asia, and particularly if you can find such a great price.

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Controlling the seat is simple – via the older but functional touchscreen on the left. There’s also a small reading light and a universal socket with a USB-A port.

Amenity kit

At first glance, the Hainan Airlines Business Class amenity kit looks solid, but lacks any real originality.

The design is more understated than luxurious, but the bag will serve you well on future journeys.

The contents are standard: an eye mask, socks, a toothbrush, basic toiletries from Rituals and a few bits and bobs for a long flight. Nothing is missing, but nothing stands out either.

As well as the amenity kit and pyjamas (see below), you can also take home a pair of quite nice, though by no means premium, slippers.

In the context of a ‘5★ airline’, this represents a slightly above-average standard, rather than a premium experience. If you’re used to heavily branded amenity kits from the Middle East or top-tier Asian carriers, you’ll notice the difference here.

In-flight entertainment (IFE) and Wi-Fi on board the Airbus A330-300

Hainan Airlines’ Airbus A330-300 is equipped with a classic in-flight entertainment system featuring a medium-sized touchscreen.

The interface is functional, but the graphics look rather conservative than modern – you can control it either via the touchscreen (which is quite far away) or using a standard remote control.

The selection of films and TV series is sufficient for a single long-haul flight to Beijing. It isn’t top of the range, but you certainly won’t get bored.

Wi-Fi is not available on Airbus A330-300 (or A330-200) aircraft.

Food – the weakest part of the product

The catering was typically Chinese and rather average in terms of flavour. Or rather, a bit odd. Perhaps for Chinese people, who are used to specific flavours, the food is excellent. For me, it was a bit bizarre.

Nothing was actually bad, but it wasn’t anything you’d particularly remember either.

If you’re expecting the sort of cuisine you’d find on top-tier Asian airlines, you won’t find it here.

The service on this flight was provided in several stages.

Welcome drink, water and cocktails

You can choose from water, juices and genuine champagne. A bowl of nuts is also provided.

A 0.5-litre bottle of water is provided at your seat, and you can also request further water, an alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktail, wine or beer at any time during the flight.

Main course (dinner)

We depart from Prague at 13:00, and the main meal service is served approximately an hour and a half into the flight. It is served as dinner.

Before take-off, the flight attendants walk through the cabin and tick off the meals passengers have chosen from the menu.

Although we’ve chosen the Western option, the flavours are more Chinese and very mushroomy.

I do appreciate how quickly the dishes are cleared away, though! My table isn’t left with any crockery for even two minutes after I’ve finished eating. That’s something I really do appreciate.

During dinner, we watch the sky darken rapidly through the window and the absolutely breathtaking scenery created by the clouds below us.

Mid-flight snack

About halfway through the flight, the flight attendants walk through the cabin offering nuts, crisps or fruit.

We opt for apples.

And our own delicious Christmas biscuits. After all, it’s 26 December!

Breakfast

Breakfast is very much in the same vein as dinner. To be honest, I can’t really tell the difference.

To be honest – it’s nothing to write home about, and the best thing about the whole breakfast is the sweet strudel.

Sleep and comfort on the PRG–PEK route

The bed is long enough for me (I’m 175 cm tall) and the cabin is relatively quiet. If your main aim is to arrive in Asia well-rested, the Airbus A330-300 will do the job.

There isn’t a great deal of legroom when reclined, but the seat width and the space between the seat and the aisle are adequate. In this respect, the privacy is fine. When reclined, I can hardly see any of my fellow passengers.

What really bothered me, however, was that any movement by the passenger in front of me caused my seat to shake as well.

What’s more, the seat wasn’t in the best technical condition; although the reclining mechanism worked perfectly, some of the plastic components were loose.

The seat package also includes a cover and a fairly comfortable blanket.

I almost forgot to mention the pyjamas that the flight attendants hand out before take-off. They’re available in sizes L or M.

And surprisingly comfortable!

Crew: professional, but a bit cold

The service was satisfactory. Everything went smoothly.

However, there was a lack of a personal touch, a smile or a sense of a premium experience. And this is precisely where the biggest difference lies between the ‘5★ airline’ label and the reality on board.

Connecting flight in Beijing

Upon arrival in Beijing at 5 am, we were unpleasantly surprised to find that we had to walk out onto the tarmac and be taken by bus to the terminal.

Fortunately, however, Hainan Airlines at least provides separate buses for business class passengers.

When travelling to Thailand, Beijing can be a convenient option thanks to the possibility of visa-free transit. We have described the conditions and practical experiences in detail in the article:

• 👉 Visa-free transit through China – a complete guide
• 👉 A detailed guide to Beijing PEK Airport

If you’re planning a longer layover, this could be an interesting bonus to your journey.

However, we only had a 5.5-hour layover, which we spent entirely in the lounge (included in the price of the flight).

We’ll be covering this in detail in our follow-up review 👉 Business Class flight PEK-BKK.

How does our PRG–PEK leg fit into the journey as a whole?

This leg was just the start of our bigger trip, and we’ve written about our experiences, tips and insights here:

• 🏙️Bangkok – what to see
• 🏝️ Koh Samui – where to stay
• 🌴 Koh Phangan – tips and beaches
• ✨ Returning to the Etihad Airways Residence

The best hotels in Bangkok here

My verdict

Hainan Airlines’ Airbus A330-300 offers good privacy and a fully flat bed in business class. That’s the essential factor that makes all the difference on a ten-hour flight.

The service is professional but somewhat cold. The food is rather average. The technical condition of the cabin occasionally reminds you that this isn’t the latest generation of the aircraft.

For a price of around 2 000 eur, I’d look elsewhere.

For 1 200 eur, I wouldn’t hesitate to go there again.

And if a similar offer from Prague to Bangkok comes up again, it’s worth at least considering – especially if you’re planning to travel on to Thailand, as we did.

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In our next review, we’ll take a look at the second leg, PEK–BKK, which was in a different configuration – and the experience this time was significantly less impressive.