IHG Hotels & Hainan Airlines Expand Partnership for Seamless Ground-to-Air Travel

IHG and Hainan Airlines Expand Premium Travel Partnership in China

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hainan Airlines have deepened their strategic partnership in 2025 with a bold new concept, “Where Dreams Bloom, Journey to the Oasis.” Building on a collaboration launched last year, the expanded alliance introduces a suite of premium travel experiences designed to integrate luxury on the ground and in the air, including a co-branded airport lounge and curated business class dining.

Unveiled at Shanghai Pudong International Airport’s Terminal 2, the new co-branded lounge brings together IHG’s refined hospitality and Hainan Airlines’ distinctive “Dream Feather” design in a tranquil ‘Garden Oasis’ setting. The lounge features a buffet island, live cooking stations, and exclusive relaxation zones, offering IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite members elevated access and privileges.

The culinary experience in the lounge draws from IHG’s signature Chinese restaurant, Cai Feng Lou, serving dishes from its acclaimed “10 Bites” menu alongside regional favorites such as wontons in rich broth and a specialty coconut white tea. In-flight, Cai Feng Lou now offers a new business class menu titled “The Flavours of Suzhou and Hainan,” fusing Cantonese and Huaiyang cuisines with seasonal ingredients from Hainan.

For international travelers, Hainan Airlines has also collaborated with IHG’s CHAR Bar & Grill to present the “Grilled & Gliding” menu. Reflecting CHAR’s ‘new five senses’ approach, it showcases charcoal-grilled dishes with a focus on local produce, enhancing the global business class experience on key intercontinental routes.

The partnership was celebrated with a journey aboard the branded “IHG Explorer” aircraft to Sanya, concluding with a gala dinner at the newly opened Kimpton Aqeos Hainan hotel. The event was attended by senior executives from both IHG and Hainan Airlines, including Daniel Aylmer, CEO of IHG Greater China, and Zhu Tao, Vice President of HNA Aviation Group and Chairman of Hainan Airlines.

“This expanded partnership reflects our shared ambition to integrate the travel journey and create inspiring, seamless experiences from departure to destination,” said Aylmer, marking IHG’s 50th anniversary in Greater China.

Zhu Tao highlighted HNA’s growth since joining Liaoning Fangda Group in 2021, citing operational milestones and continued recognition for service excellence. He emphasized that the enhanced partnership with IHG exemplifies a pioneering model for integrated aviation and hospitality, aiming to deliver a high-quality, end-to-end travel experience.

This collaboration underscores IHG’s long-term commitment to innovation in Greater China and its goal to redefine premium travel through partnerships that extend beyond conventional boundaries.