IHG and Hainan Airlines Enhance Travel Services with New Airport Lounge and In-Flight Dining
In July 2025 IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hainan Airlines announced an expanded collaboration focused on improving the passenger experience. This includes the opening of a co-branded airport lounge at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the introduction of new business class menus on selected domestic and international flights. These developments aim to create a more unified and efficient journey by aligning key elements of air travel and hotel services under a shared strategy.
The newly opened lounge provides a quiet and comfortable space for passengers before their flights. It includes key features designed to improve the overall experience such as:
- Live cooking stations offering freshly prepared meals
- Regional dishes inspired by IHG’s Cai Feng Lou restaurant
- Dedicated relaxation zones blending design elements from both IHG and Hainan Airlines
At the same time business class travelers can enjoy an updated in-flight menu that emphasizes:
- Seasonal ingredients sourced locally
- Culinary influences from various Chinese regions
- Consistent meal quality and presentation
For passengers the integration of services across airport lounge hospitality and in-flight dining offers a practical benefit. Moving between stages of travel often involves dealing with different service providers and inconsistent quality. This collaboration reduces those gaps by offering a more coherent experience from check-in to arrival. Especially for frequent travelers and business passengers such consistency contributes to smoother travel with fewer unexpected issues.
Another essential aspect of this initiative is the emphasis on customized services. The partnership offers exclusive loyalty perks for IHG One Rewards members and brings in enhanced options for dining and relaxation tailored to individual needs. These upgrades reflect a wider movement in the travel industry, where providers increasingly adapt to traveler expectations. The integration of airline and hotel services could also streamline booking and itinerary management.
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.
This model for cooperation directs how travel services may evolve in the future. Travelers may begin to favor options offering coordination with continuity across the entire adventure, as customer expectations evolve. IHG along with Hainan Airlines partner in order to respond to these expectations. They connect all of the stages in travel so streamlining the process. Travelers find better comfort plus improved predictability when traveling.
