Business class to Thailand for a price that normally corresponds to better economy? That's exactly how our one-way ticket from Prague to Bangkok with a change in Beijing, which we bought for 1 200 eur.

At Christmas time, similar flights were on sale around 2 000 eur - and we were leaving 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, but with a newer configuration than the connecting PEK-BKK segment. Aircraft type can play a role - especially if you're addressing sleep comfort, privacy or a particular cabin configuration.

Hainan Airlines is a five-star airline, according to Skytrax. But after this flight, I'd say five stars is a pretty bold rating. As such, the product is solid. The experience as a whole less so.

Business class aboard an Airbus A330-300 from Prague to Beijing is actually a combination of a very solid product and a surprisingly cool experience. Judge for yourself from our photos and experiences.

A quick overview of the flight

• Route: Prague (PRG) - Beijing (PEK)
• Aircraft: Airbus A330-300, registration B-1048
• Configuration: 1-2-1 (Super Diamond)
• Flight time: 9.5 hours
• Price of the whole ticket PRG-BKK: 1 200 eur
• My rating for this segment: 7/10

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

If a similar price comes up again, it's a very solid buy. But if you're expecting service on the level of, say, Etihad Airways, you might be a little disappointed.

Check-in and lounge at Prague Airport

Hainan Airlines check-in was standard at the business counters in Terminal 1.

The queue was minimal, check-in was fast, without any extra standard, but also without any problem.

On the positive side, business passengers have access to the contract lounge in Prague. I get an invitation at the counter, so we get into the Mastercard Lounge without any problems.

• 👉 My review of the Mastercard Lounge at Terminal 1
• Services at Prague Airport
• 🏨 Tip for the hotel opposite Terminal 1 - Courtyard by Marriott Prague Airport ****

Boarding and first impression of the Airbus A330-300

Boarding was prioritized and without delays, exactly according to the groups - first wheelchair users and families with children, then business class passengers and then economy class passengers.

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

First impression? Better than I expected, actually. Subconsciously, I have Chinese airlines pigeonholed as "bad".

And here, you can see that there will be plenty of privacy, though definitely less space than, say, Lufthansa's new Allegris business class, which I tried out a few months before this flight.

Airbus A330-300 cabin and seat

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

• Super Diamond (this flight)
• Stelia Solstys (we will experience this on the PEK-BKK flight)

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

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

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

And this is the less comfortable and older Solstys configuration:

The Super Diamond cabin always has one row of seats along the windows, with the seat facing the window - the head is closer to the aisle, but the view out remains great and privacy is provided by a tall plastic screen.

There are always two seats in the middle with their legs slightly turned towards each other. Ideal if you are travelling alone.

However, if you are travelling as a couple and hoping that a pair of seats in the middle will give you privacy together, you will be disappointed. Realistically, you won't see each other at all.

The seats aren't the latest generation, but they offer solid space and of course a fully flat bed.

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

Compared to the Qatar Qsuite or the latest products from Etihad or Emirates, it's not the top of the range, of course, but it's certainly not below average.

For a 9.5-hour flight from Prague to Beijing, it's a comfort that makes sense - especially if you're flying further into Southeast Asia, and especially if you can find such a great price.

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Seat controls are simple - via the older but functional touchscreen on the left. There's also a small reading lamp and a universal power outlet with a USB-A port.

Amenity kit

The Amenity kit in Hainan Airlines business class looks solid at first glance, but without much originality.

The design is more spare than luxurious, but the bag will serve you well on other trips.

The contents are standard: eye mask, socks, toothbrush, Rituals branded essentials and small items for a long flight. Nothing is missing, but nothing is surprising.

In addition to the amenity-kit and pajamas (see below), you can take along some pretty nice but not premium slippers.

In the context of the "5★ airline" designation, this is a slightly above average standard, not a premium experience. If you're used to heavily branded amenity kits from Middle Eastern or top Asian carriers, you'll feel the difference here.

Entertainment system (IFE) and Wi-Fi on board the Airbus A330-300

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

The interface is functional, but graphically it looks more conservative than modern - you either control by touch (very far) or by a standard controller.

The selection of movies and TV shows is enough for one long-haul flight to Beijing. It's not the top of the market, but there's certainly no danger of getting bored.

Wi-Fi was not available on the Airbus A330-300 (or A330-200).

Food - the weakest part of the product

The catering was typically Chinese and rather average in taste. Or rather strange. Maybe for Chinese people who are used to specific tastes, the food is excellent. For me, it's rather bizarre.

Nothing outright bad, but nothing to remember either.

If you're expecting gastronomy on the level of the top Asian carriers, you won't find it here.

Service on this flight was done in several layers:

Welcome Drink, water and cocktails.

Water, juices and real champagne. A bowl of nuts to go with it.

A 0.5 litre bottle of water is included, plus you can get extra water, alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails, wine or beer at any time during the flight.

Main meal (dinner)

We leave Prague at 13:00 and the main service arrives after about an hour and a half of the flight. It is served as dinner.

Before departure, the flight attendants go through the cabin and tick off what passengers will choose to eat from the menu.

Although we choose the Western option, the flavours are more Chinese and very mushroomy.

I do appreciate the speed of the harvest though! I don't have dishes on the table for maybe 2 minutes after finishing my meal. This is something I can really appreciate.

During dinner, we watch the rapidly darkening sky out the window and the absolutely breathtaking scenery the clouds create below us.

Mid-flight snack

About halfway through the flight, flight attendants walk through the cabin and offer nuts, chips or fruit.

We choose apples.

And our own delicious Christmas cookies. It is December 26th!

Breakfast

Breakfast is very much in the same vein as dinner. Actually, I honestly can't tell the difference.

Honestly - no glory and the best part of 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) and the cabin is relatively quiet. If your main goal is to arrive in Asia sleepy, the Airbus A330-300 fulfills that role.

There isn't much legroom when lying down, but the seat width and aisle separation are adequate. In that respect, privacy is fine. I can see virtually no passengers when lying down.

What bothered me a lot, however, was that any movement of the passenger in front of me also jostled my seat.

Moreover, it was not in the best technical condition and although the reclining was fully functional, some plastic components were loose.

Also included in the package with the seat is a bed sheet and a fairly comfortable blanket.

I'd almost forgotten the pyjamas that the stewardesses handed out before take-off. It is available in sizes L or M.

And surprisingly comfortable!

Crew: professional but cool

Service was correct. Everything was done correctly.

But the personal touch, smile or feeling of a premium experience was missing. And this is where the biggest difference between the "5★ airline" designation and the reality on board.

Transfer in Beijing

We were unpleasantly surprised upon arrival in Beijing at 5am to be dropped off on the tarmac and taken by buses to the terminal.

Fortunately though, at least Hainan Airlines sends separate buses for business class passengers.

Beijing can also be convenient when travelling to Thailand due to the possibility of transit without a visa. We have detailed the conditions and practical experience in the article:

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

If you are planning a longer layover, this can be an interesting bonus of the whole itinerary.

However, we only had a 5.5 hour transfer, which we spent all of in the lounge (it's included in the flight price).

But we will write about it in detail in the following review 👉 Flight in Business Class PEK-BKK.

How does our PRG-PEK fit into the whole trip?

This segment was just the beginning of our larger trip, from which we've written up our experiences, tips and takeaways here:

• 🏙️ Bangkok - what to see
• 🏝️ Koh Samui - where to stay
• 🌴 Koh Phangan - tips and beaches
• ✨ Return at Etihad Airways Residence

Best hotels in Bangkok here

My verdict

The Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-300 offers solid privacy and a fully flat bed in business class. That's the basics that make the difference on a 10-hour flight.

Service is correct but cool. The food is rather average. The technical condition of the cabin reminds in places that this is not the latest generation product.

For the price around 2 000 eur I would look elsewhere.

For 1 200 eur I wouldn't hesitate again.

And if a similar offer from Prague to Bangkok comes up again, it's worth at least considering - especially if you plan to continue on to Thailand, as we did.

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In our next review, we'll look at the second PEK-BKK leg, which was in a different configuration - and the experience was significantly weaker this time.