Recently, a 19-year-old freshman student formally sued Hainan Airlines after his Hainan Airlines flight HU7731 took off 10 minutes early and his travel plan was disrupted. After communication, complaints and mediation failed, he formally sued Hainan Airlines, which triggered widespread media coverage.
It is reported that this college student planned to take the flight from Shenzhen to Hohhot on April 3. He used the Hainan Airlines PLUS privilege card to purchase tickets and made a detailed travel plan: take the first subway at 6 a.m. on April 3 and arrive at the airport at 6:50 at the latest. This complies with the airport's 38-minute advance check-in regulations, and the subway is his most economical choice.
However, on March 25, the college student received a text message from the airline and was informed that the flight would take off 10 minutes early to 7:30 due to company reasons. He communicated with customer service that day and asked for a free refund or change, but was refused because "a 10-minute time adjustment is a normal flight."
He then complained to the Civil Aviation Administration and proposed that the airline should bear the cost of a taxi or accommodation near the airport, but was still rejected. In the end, he checked into a hotel near the airport one night early to complete his trip.
On April 13, the Consumer Affairs Center of the Civil Aviation Administration issued a mediation opinion. Hainan Airlines clearly refused to mediate on the grounds that the flight schedule was for reference only, and according to its general conditions of transportation, 10 minutes in advance was a normal flight.
It is reported that HNA’s new version of the General Conditions of Transport stipulates that flights that are delayed more than 15 minutes in advance due to airline reasons can be canceled or changed for free. This regulation will take effect in January 2026. The old version does not have this restriction.
College students do not agree with this reason and believe that their rights cards were purchased before the new regulations took effect, and the airline's practices violated relevant management regulations.
On April 20, he submitted a complaint to the People’s Court of Baoan District, Shenzhen, requesting the airline to compensate the airline for accommodation fees of 103.84 yuan and litigation costs. The case is currently pending review and filing.
After this incident was posted on social media by college students, it aroused heated discussions among netizens with different opinions. Some people admire his execution ability in safeguarding rights and interests, while others feel that this is a bit too fussy.