Hainan Airlines builds compact North American 787 network. Now for Beijing to allow momentous growth

Boeing's 787 "Dreamliner" was criticised for its entry-into-service delays, but the aircraft has allowed Hainan Airlines to construct an ideal - even dream - network to North America. The region is experiencing rapid growth from Asia in part due to growing interest and visa liberalisation from the United States.

Hainan's quietly expanding North American network received its fourth destination, Boston, in Jun-2014. Hainan hopes to reach 10 destinations in the long term and will order additional 787s ito allow it to do so. Hainan's existing Chicago and Toronto destinations are served with the 787 while Seattle remains with A330 service, shortly switching to the 787. Although Hainan has only a 5% capacity share of the North America-China market, its network is efficient, and laudable given the restraints it operates under.

A larger network and more important role is surely only a matter of time.