IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hainan Airlines Expand Partnership to Enhance Ground-to-Air Travel
Building on their collaboration launched last year, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hainan Airlines have deepened their strategic partnership in 2025 with the joint concept ‘Where Dreams Bloom, Journey to the Oasis’. The two brands are introducing new travel experiences, including a co-branded airport lounge and curated business-class menus, fostering broader cultural and tourism collaboration. As IHG marks its 50th anniversary in Greater China, the partnership reflects a shared goal of delivering a smooth, end-to-end travel experience with upgraded product and service offerings.
Bringing Ground-to-Air Travel Together
IHG and Hainan Airlines have opened their new co-branded lounge at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Senior leaders from both companies, including IHG Greater China’s Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Aylmer and Hainan Airlines’ Chairman, Zhu Tao, attended the launch. Guests also boarded the branded ‘IHG Explorer’ aircraft to Sanya, where they participated in a ‘Where Dreams Bloom, Journey to the Oasis’ gala dinner at the newly opened Kimpton Aqeos Hainan. This journey showcased the range of experiences designed by both brands, connecting departure, flight, and arrival in a cohesive travel sequence.
Creating Multi-Touchpoint Travel Experiences
The co-branded lounge, inspired by a ‘Garden Oasis’, combines IHG’s classic design with Hainan Airlines’ ‘Dream Feather’ elements. It features a buffet island, live cooking stations, and spaces for dining and relaxation. IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite members enjoy exclusive access and benefits in the lounge, which brings IHG’s hospitality into the airport setting.
Culinary offerings are also a focus of the partnership. The lounge menu draws inspiration from Cai Feng Lou, IHG’s Chinese restaurant, featuring dishes from the ‘10 Bites of Cai Feng Lou’ menu and local delicacies, such as rich broth wontons and coconut white tea. In-flight, the business class menu ‘The Flavours of Suzhou and Hainan’ blends Cantonese and Huaiyang cuisines with Hainan’s seasonal ingredients on domestic routes. For intercontinental routes, the CHAR Bar & Grill menu, ‘Grilled & Gliding’, introduces charcoal-grilled dishes crafted from regional ingredients, aligning with CHAR’s ‘new five senses’ philosophy to enrich the in-flight dining experience.
Daniel Aylmer, CEO of IHG Greater China, said: “As we mark 50 years in Greater China, our commitment to understanding and exceeding guest expectations has never been stronger. This expanded partnership with Hainan Airlines reflects our shared ambition to integrate the travel journey and create inspiring, seamless experiences from departure to destination. Together, we are elevating the travel ecosystem through collaboration and innovation.”
At the press conference, Zhu Tao, Vice President of HNA Aviation Group and Chairman of Hainan Airlines, stated: “Since joining Liaoning Fangda Group on December 8th, 2021, HNA Aviation Group has embarked on a new chapter of development. Currently operating nearly 3,000 routes, HNA Aviation Group has accumulated over 22 million flight hours in domestic operations. Over the past three years, our performance has demonstrated consistent improvement, reflecting robust and positive growth momentum. Service excellence lies at the heart of Hainan Airlines’ competitive edge. This commitment has earned us the prestigious “SKYTRAX 5-Star Airline” for multiple consecutive years, along with retaining honours such as ‘ Best Business Class Comfort Amenities’ this year.
These achievements stem from our relentless pursuit of perfection in service details and continuous innovation, all dedicated to delivering an unexpectedly comfortable journey for our passengers. Hainan Airlines and InterContinental Hotels Group share a long-standing and productive partnership. This upgraded collaboration marks a new milestone in our relationship, pioneering an innovative model that integrates aviation and travel experiences. Moving forward, HNA Aviation Group and InterContinental Hotels Group will join forces to transcend the boundaries between air and ground, seamlessly connecting five-star inflight experiences with premium hotel services throughout passengers’ end-to-end journey. Together, we aim to redefine the essence of flight and provide an integrated, high-quality travel experience.”
This expanded partnership highlights IHG’s long-term commitment to Greater China and the shared goal of both brands to innovate beyond traditional travel models. Together, IHG and Hainan Airlines aim to offer more enriching and interconnected experiences for their members. Looking ahead, IHG will continue to uphold its mission of “True Hospitality for Good” by fostering product innovation within its diverse brand portfolio and setting new benchmarks in the travel industry.
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