Building on a successful partnership launched just last year, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Hainan Airlines have taken their strategic collaboration to new heights in 2025 with the unveiling of ‘Where Dreams Bloom, Journey to the Oasis’—a multi-touchpoint travel experience that blurs the boundaries between air and ground, business and leisure, departure and destination.
The partnership, announced as IHG celebrates its 50th anniversary in Greater China, showcases a shared ambition: to redefine premium travel with curated experiences that start well before takeoff and linger long after landing.
From Lounge to Landing: A Seamless Travel Narrative
At the heart of the partnership is a new co-branded lounge at Terminal 2 of Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Inspired by a “Garden Oasis” concept, the space merges IHG’s hallmark elegance with Hainan Airlines’ signature “Dream Feather” motif. Designed as a tranquil retreat for travelers, the lounge features buffet islands, live cooking stations, and zones for quiet dining and relaxation. IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite members are offered exclusive access and personalized perks, reinforcing the brands’ focus on premium hospitality even before boarding.
On the culinary side, the lounge menu pays homage to Cai Feng Lou, IHG’s acclaimed Chinese dining brand, with a carefully curated “10 Bites of Cai Feng Lou” tasting menu alongside comforting regional dishes like broth wontons and coconut white tea.
Dining in the Skies: Business Class Reinvented
The elevated experience continues on board, where IHG and Hainan Airlines have brought signature restaurant concepts into the sky. Domestic business class travelers can enjoy “The Flavours of Suzhou and Hainan”, a menu fusing delicate Huaiyang cuisine with the bold, seasonal ingredients of southern China. Meanwhile, on intercontinental routes, CHAR Bar & Grill introduces its new ‘Grilled & Gliding’ concept—charcoal-grilled dishes rooted in the brand’s “new five senses” philosophy, offering a richer, more sensory-driven inflight dining experience.
A Journey Through the Oasis
The partnership was unveiled during a special immersive experience that brought media, partners, and executives on board the co-branded “IHG Explorer” aircraft for a journey to Sanya. Guests were treated to a gala dinner at the newly opened Kimpton Aqeos Hainan, where the theme “Where Dreams Bloom, Journey to the Oasis” came to life through design, cuisine, and hospitality. The event was attended by top leadership from both companies, including Daniel Aylmer, CEO of IHG Greater China, and Zhu Tao, Chairman of Hainan Airlines.
An Eye on the Future of Travel
“This expanded partnership with Hainan Airlines reflects our shared ambition to integrate the travel journey and create inspiring, seamless experiences from departure to destination,” said Aylmer. “Together, we are elevating the travel ecosystem through collaboration and innovation.”
As China’s travel landscape evolves, IHG and Hainan Airlines are positioning themselves at the forefront—delivering not only on convenience and comfort but also on storytelling and sensory discovery. With this next chapter, the brands invite travelers to dream beyond destinations and expe
