DINING IS AN ART, and now that applies both on the ground and at 35,000 feet with Hainan Airlines’ “Hai Chef” Inflight Artistic Chinese cuisine series, created in collaboration with Dong Zhenxiang, the renowned Chinese culinary master known as Dadong.
Dadong is celebrated for reinterpreting traditional Chinese dishes through an artistic lens, drawing on elements of Chinese painting, penjing (potted landscape) and classical literature to craft dishes that convey a poetic, evocative aesthetic.
Business-class passengers on long-haul international flights departing from Beijing can enjoy these carefully composed dishes as part of the Inflight Artistic Chinese cuisine series. The menu features items such as a shrimp cake appetizer with Shaoxing wine and spiced duck liver; Beijing-style roast beef fillet; fried sweet bean and pumpkin with agaric; fried seafood in XO sauce; stir-fried ginkgo nut and shrimp balls with Chinese parsley; braised eggplant with colorful peppers; fried chicken fillet with poplar mushrooms; and chicken noodle soup with preserved vegetables and bamboo shoots.
This special series is available in business class on 17 routes from Beijing, including Berlin, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, San Jose, Toronto, Las Vegas, Brussels, Prague and Tel Aviv. New dishes will continue to be developed, extending the cultural and culinary possibilities of Chinese cuisine in the air.
Hai Chef is part of a broader enhancement of Hainan Airlines’ inflight dining. The airline works with Michelin-recognized chefs such as Alyn Williams and Brent Savage to design select menus. In 2016, Hainan introduced the Cabin Chef program across its long-distance international routes to raise culinary standards onboard.
Cabin Chefs are highly trained culinary professionals with deep knowledge of ingredients, cooking techniques and presentation. They tailor recommendations to business-class travelers’ preferences, offering a private-chef style experience. These specialists manage every detail of meal service—from heating and seasoning to final presentation and garnishing—ensuring consistent quality. The dining experience is rounded out with elegant desserts and carefully chosen after-dinner wines, and the program is planned to expand further.
Hainan Airlines serves 19 North American destinations, including Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Mexico City and Tijuana. The carrier emphasizes rapid connectivity and intermodal cooperation, and promotes a smoother travel experience through its “Dream Feather” visual identity and five-star service offerings. Passengers can expect a more convenient, comfortable and safe journey across the network.