In a bold move to redefine high-end travel across China, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hainan Airlines have partnered to create a seamless luxury journey that integrates premium hospitality from airport lounges to inflight experiences and destination accommodations. The initiative marks a new era of ground-to-air travel convenience, catering to growing demand for sophisticated, end-to-end service for modern travelers.
Branded under the theme “Where Dreams Bloom, Journey to the Oasis,” the collaboration merges the expertise of two global industry leaders to deliver a reimagined journey beginning at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and extending to popular destinations like Sanya in Hainan Province. This premium experience is aimed at business and leisure travelers seeking elevated comfort, personalization, and a taste of China’s best-in-class service.
Oasis-Inspired Lounge at Shanghai Pudong Airport
At the heart of this collaboration is the launch of an exclusive co-branded airport lounge in Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). Designed as a tranquil “Garden Oasis,” the lounge draws on the aesthetics of resort back gardens, offering a serene space for relaxation before takeoff.
Guests entering the lounge are greeted by calming décor, elegantly furnished seating areas, and wellness-focused amenities. A highlight is the live culinary station and central buffet island, curated with gourmet dishes inspired by IHG’s top-tier restaurants in Greater China. Travelers can enjoy signature selections like savory wontons, a “10 Bites” tasting experience, and a house-exclusive coconut white tea, enhancing the transition between land and air.
Exclusive Access for IHG One Rewards Elite Members
The experience is further personalized for IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite members, who receive fast-track entry, bespoke amenities, and top-tier service both in the lounge and onboard. This emphasis on elite recognition ties into IHG’s ongoing commitment to rewarding loyalty through elevated guest experiences.
With IHG celebrating its 50th anniversary in Greater China, the timing of this partnership couldn’t be more symbolic. The company has played a key role in shaping China’s hotel landscape and continues to innovate in response to the changing expectations of global and domestic travelers.
IHG Explorer Aircraft Debuts on Shanghai–Sanya Route
Taking this luxury journey skyward is the introduction of the specially branded “IHG Explorer” aircraft, now operating on high-demand premium routes such as Shanghai to Sanya. The aircraft features bespoke cabin interiors that echo the lounge’s oasis theme, ensuring continuity in style, comfort, and service quality.
Passengers flying business class aboard the IHG Explorer can indulge in curated dining menus that bring regional culinary excellence to the skies. A standout menu item titled “Flavours of Suzhou and Hainan” blends the refinement of Huaiyang and Cantonese cuisines, using seasonal ingredients sourced from across China, including Hainan Island.
Western cuisine is also elegantly represented through the inflight “Grilled & Gliding” menu, a collaboration with IHG’s CHAR Bar & Grill, known for its charcoal-fired contemporary grill fare. The inflight adaptation brings a multi-sensory experience to altitude, highlighting aroma, taste, and texture.
Setting a New Standard for Travel in Asia-Pacific
This strategic venture responds directly to Asia-Pacific’s post-pandemic luxury travel boom, where discerning travelers increasingly seek coherent, high-touch experiences. According to China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, domestic air travel and luxury hotel stays surged in the first half of 2025, with a notable increase in high-end travel spending among Gen Z and millennial travelers.
By integrating hotel and airline services under one experience, IHG and Hainan Airlines are positioning themselves at the forefront of a broader travel trend—where aviation and hospitality converge to simplify, elevate, and personalize each journey.
A Scalable Model for Future Expansion
Although initially rolled out on the Shanghai–Sanya route, this model is designed with scalability in mind. High-traffic routes across Greater China and potentially regional Asia-Pacific markets are under evaluation for future implementation of similar co-branded experiences.
This approach aligns with China’s broader tourism strategy under the 14th Five-Year Plan, which emphasizes premium service standards, regional integration, and tourism modernization. The model could serve as a blueprint for how airlines and hotels around the world might collaborate to drive greater customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
Redefining Travel for the Luxury Consumer
The fusion of on-ground hospitality and inflight luxury services under a unified brand vision marks a significant evolution in premium travel. In an age where travelers seek more than just transportation and accommodation, this initiative answers with experiences that are immersive, story-driven, and emotionally resonant.
“Where Dreams Bloom” isn’t just a slogan—it reflects a philosophy of seamless luxury, where every stage of the journey is designed with intention and elegance. With digital check-ins, elevated lounges, culinary storytelling, and bespoke member privileges, the future of travel is no longer divided by terminals and runways—it flows as one experience.
Looking Ahead
The IHG and Hainan Airlines partnership sets a new benchmark in Asia’s premium travel landscape, likely to influence other hospitality and aviation brands. As travelers prioritize ease, coherence, and cultural connection, this co-branded model provides a roadmap for how the travel industry can evolve beyond traditional boundaries.
For those flying between Shanghai and Hainan’s tropical shores, the journey now begins long before takeoff—and lingers long after check-out. With this collaboration, luxury isn’t just a destination—it’s the journey itself.
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