Category Archives: Xiamen Air

Xiamen Airlines launches Fujian’s first flight route to Doha

On October 31, 2023, Xiamen Airlines officially launched the Xiamen-Doha flight route.

This not only established a new “air silk road” between these two world-renowned coastal cities, but also marked the first direct flight route to Doha from Fujian Province, China.

There are two flights every Tuesday and Friday between Xiamen and Doha. The flight to Doha departs from Xiamen at 0:05 (GMT+8) and arrives at 5:00 (local time), and the return flight departs at 19:30 (local time) from Doha and arrives in Xiamen at 7:55 (GMT+8) on the next day morning. This route is operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and features a well-designed schedule that makes it convenient for passengers to arrange their subsequent itineraries.

Xiamen Airlines launches Beijing – Doha flights, the first by a Chinese airline

Xiamen Airlines on October 20, a Boeing 787 departed from Beijing Daxing International Airport for Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Xiamen Airlines has become the first and only Chinese carrier to offer direct flights from China to Qatar.

Xiamen Airlines has also become the very first and the only Chinese carrier to fly between China and Qatar.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar, and the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The opening of this air route will build a broader Air Silk Road to promote economic and trade cooperation and strengthen cultural exchanges between the two countries.

The Xiamen Airlines on Beijing Daxing- Doharoute will operate daily. The flight MF845 departs from Daxing, Beijing at 18:30 and arrives in Dohaat 22:45 local time, MF846 in return leaves Dohaat 02:00 local time and arrives in Daxing, Beijingat 15:20.

Xiamen Air unveils a new Universal Beijing Resort Minion Land special livery on B-1913

Xiamen Air made this announcement:

“Minions are here!”

On the morning of September 26th, at Fuzhou Changle International Airport, amidst the laughter of many passengers, another themed painted Boeing 737-800 (B-1913) from Xiamen Airlines, featuring the Universal Beijing Resort Minion Land, took off and flew to Beijing.

This is the second collaborative painted themed plane introduced by Xiamen Airlines, following the announcement in July of the first “Airline Friend of Universal Beijing Resort”.

Two weeks ago, Xiamen Airlines unveiled its first painted aircraft themed after Universal Beijing Resort Jurassic World Isla Nublar, attracting numerous IP fans and travelers. Now, Xiamen Airlines has brought another new landmark for Minion Land fans, and through this “airborne business card,” continues to invite travelers worldwide to come to China and visit Universal Beijing Resort.

This time, Xiamen Airlines boldly broke away from its usual elegant and dignified “Blue Sky Egret” fleet style. They brought the star Minions from Universal Beijing Resort’s Minion Land and their bananas onto the plane’s fuselage. The bright yellow color contrasts strongly with the classic “Xiamen Airlines blue,” attracting the attention of tourists.

At the inaugural flight event, passengers felt the happiness and infectious energy from Universal Beijing Resort starting from the check-in process. Passengers dressed in overalls along the way greeted each other with “Bello.” Ms. Chen, a passenger, expressed herself as a super fan of the Minion Land and has been a loyal Xiamen Airlines customer for many years. After seeing Xiamen Airlines’ Weibo announcement of the inaugural flight, she immediately purchased a ticket and became one of the first passengers to board the painted plane. Moreover, at the inaugural ceremony, she was chosen as a lucky passenger and had the opportunity to participate in the unveiling of the plane’s livery.

Xiamen Airlines has officially launched a variety of themed gift cards that include benefits such as flight coupons, themed meal selection, seat selection, and Egret Points. There are limited-time offers for gift card purchases, with a chance to receive Universal Studios Beijing One-Day Dated Ticket. On the inaugural day, some passengers were already excited to collect three commemorative edition e-boarding passes and took photos with the backdrop wall of the “Universal Studios Beijing Minion Land” at the inaugural event.

Since the beginning of this year, the tourism market has experienced rapid recovery. Especially since July, domestic air passenger traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and the civil aviation industry has entered a crucial period of incremental growth and improved quality. Themed painted plane are rare outdoor media with significant visual impact, and the IP image of Universal Beijing Resort is also highly appealing. Through the strong collaboration and the extensive route network and marketing of Xiamen Airlines, the brand images of both parties have been further enhanced in key cities across China. The successful completion of this inaugural flight is another initiative by Xiamen Airlines to establish a solid presence in important markets, including Fujian, Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and others.

It is evident that an increasing number of people are anticipating new products and experiences in the cultural tourism industry, leading to higher expectations for air travel services. Xiamen Airlines has been focused on enhancing the passenger experience and has made efforts to explore and develop integrated services that encompass dining, entertainment, and enjoyment—a distinctive and innovative practice in the industry. By combining “culture and tourism” with aviation, Xiamen Airlines integrates cultural tourism with civil aviation, capitalizing on current consumer trends. In the future, Xiamen Airlines will continue to explore new hotspots in cultural tourism consumption and create new growth opportunities in the travel market.

Xiamen – Paris nonstop flight launched by Xiamen Airlines

On July 6, Beijing time, Xiamen Airlines officially launched a non-stop flight from Xiamen to Paris, the 12th intercontinental route of Xiamen Airlines, and also the first intercontinental route launched by the airline since COVID-19 pandemic occurred.

The route is operated once a week, with round-trip flight numbers MF825 and MF826. The outbound trip is from 0:05 am (Beijing time) to 6:40 am (local time) (from Xiamen to Paris); the return trip is from 11:55 pm (local time) to 6:00 am(Beijing time) the next day (from Paris to Xiamen).

Xiamen Airlines cooperates with six international airlines like Air France and Czech Airlines to develop transit intermodal products on South America and Africa routes with Paris as transfer by using their transportation networks, and efficiently realizes two-way transit connections between Europe, America and Australia and major domestic cities with Xiamen Airlines’ rich route network and convenient transit services at its main base in Fujian, China.

Since the launch of Xiamen-Amsterdam intercontinental flights in 2015, Xiamen Airlines has launched a total of 11 intercontinental routes to major cities in Europe, the US and Australia from China. In 2023, with the gradual recovery of China’s civil aviation market, Xiamen Airlines is actively optimizing the layout of its route network and increasing its investment in popular international routes. In the future, it will increase the frequency timely according to the Xiamen-Paris route market, and plans to launch a new route from Xiamen to Doha, Qatar, and increase the frequency to Singapore, Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Vancouver, etc., to build a more convenient travel channel for global passengers.

Xiamen Airlines switches to Airbus, orders 40 A320neo family aircraft

Airbus has made this announcement:

Xiamen Airlines has placed a firm order for 40 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft switching to Airbus for its fleet growth, making the airline the newest Airbus customer.

The agreement was announced by the major shareholder China Southern Airlines to the Shanghai Stock exchange.

Xiamen has been a loyal Boeing customer.

Xiamen Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

4 airliners test the new Beijing Daxing International Airport

Four airliners landed today (May 13) at the new Beijing Daxing International Airport during a test of the new facilities.

The new airport is designed to someday become the world’s busiest airport.

Photos from China Southern Airlines. As the first plane of the trial flights, our Airbus A380 took off from Beijing Capital Airport at 9:03 a.m. and successfully landed at Daxing International Airport half an hour later.

Air China made this announcement with a photo:

May 13 – An Air China Boeing 747 -8 landed smoothly at Beijing Daxing Int’l Airport, successfully completing its first test flight at the new mega-airport. It’s an important milestone for the airport, which is set to become one of the world’s busiest. PKX , we’re ready for takeoff!

Xiamen Airlines issued this statement and photos on social media:

On May 13, the newly constructed Beijing Daxing International Airport has finished its four verification test flights. Our Boeing 787 United Dream, equipped with our best staff, landed smoothly and safely.

From Wikipedia:

Beijing Daxing International Airport (IATA: PKX; ICAO: ZBAD), located on the border of Beijing and Langfang, Hebei Province, is Beijing’s second international airport and is currently under construction.

The name of the airport was announced on September 14, 2018. The terminal building, the second-largest single-building airport terminal after Istanbul Airport, with an area of more than 1,000,000 m² (11,000,000 sq ft), is expected to be completed on July 15, 2019, and the airport is expected to be open on September 30, 2019.

Upon completion, it will serve as a major international hub airport in Northern China. There will be 4 runways, and approximately 80 aircraft stands, most of which can be configured to handle either one twin-aisle or two single-aisle aircraft. The new airport is expecting a total of 7 runways and another terminal to the south of the current one in the future, in order to accommodate 620,000 flights and 100 million passengers each year.

Videos:

Xiamen Air opens a new route to the Philippines

On December 18, 2018 Xiamen Airlines officially launched its Davao to Quanzhou nonstop flight, marking the opening of Davao’s first direct flight route to Mainland China. The new flight service is set to provide a bridge in the air for the economic and trade exchanges between Davao and Jinjiang of Quanzhou as sister cities.

Davao has thus become the fourth Philippine city where Xiamen Airlines operates direct flights, after Manila, Cebu and Kalibo. As the airline company enjoying the largest share of the commercial flight market between China and the Philippines, Xiamen Airlines has been facilitating the exchanges between the two nations through its flight network for 32 years in a row.

Davao’s First Nonstop Flight Route to Mainland China

Quanzhou, one of the three central cities in China’s Fujian Province, holds the distinction of being the only UNESCO-accredited starting point of the Maritime Silk Road. A large number of ethnic Chinese in the Philippines trace their ancestry to Quanzhou as well. Davao, the third largest Philippine city, is one of the leading cities in the country in terms of interaction with China.

In October, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao officially opened. At the inauguration ceremony, China’s foreign minister Wang Yi specifically introduced Xiamen Airlines’ Davao-Quanzhou flight route, stating that it “is set to inject fresh vitality into the development of Davao and the southern part of the Philippines.” In November, Davao and Jinjiang of Quanzhou were paired up as sister cities, creating a solid platform for both cities to deepen goodwill cooperation and exchange on all fronts.

The Davao-Quanzhou flight route is serviced with Boeing 737s. The flight departs from Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport at 09:00 every Tuesday and Friday, arriving in Davao at 12:15. The return flight leaves Davao International Airport at 13:15, arriving in Quanzhou at 16:30. It is currently the only direct flight between Davao and Mainland China.

The opening of the flight route not only provides ethnic Chinese in the Philippines with a fast and convenient “through bus in the air;” it also significantly facilitates business travels between China’sFujian Province and Davao, and is expected to boost economic, trade, cultural and tourist exchanges between the two regions.

Xiamen Airlines opened direct flights between Manila and Xiamen as early as November 1, 1986, making it one of the first Chinese carriers to offer direct flights between China and the Philippines. In recent years, Xiamen Airlines has devoted a greater part of its transportation capacity to the Philippines, providing vital air transportation support for the exchanges between the two nations on various fronts.

Before the opening of the Davao-Quanzhou flight route, Xiamen Airlines’ flight network covered three Philippine cities – Manila, Cebu and Kalibo, with six flight routes – Manila–Xiamen/Quanzhou, Cebu-Xiamen/Fuzhou, and Kalibo-Hangzhou/Fuzhou. These flights routes connected to all major cities across China. There were 34 flights a week on these routes, with an accumulative total of 7,690 flights and nearly 1 million passengers, giving Xiamen Airlines the largest share of the commercial flight market between the two nations.

Going forward, Xiamen Airlines will devote greater resources to flights between the two countries to create a flight network that offers regular services between major Philippine cities and China’s Fujian, Beijing and Hangzhou, which are the bases of Xiamen Airlines. This is expected to further facilitate the economic and trade exchanges between the nations.

Since 2015, Xiamen Airlines has opened 11 intercontinental flight routes to Amsterdam, Sydney, Melbourne, Vancouver, Seattle/Tacoma, New York, Los Angeles and Paris. Its flight network now covers Europe, North America and Oceania.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Xiamen Air Boeing 737-85C WL B-5708 (msn 38403) SIN (Pascal Simon). Image: 940566.

Xiamen Air aircraft slide show:

Xiamen Airlines opens a nonstop route between Paris and China’s Fuzhou

Xiamen Airlines is officially launching its new direct flight between Paris and Fuzhou today (December 11, 2018). The opening of this new nonstop route will provide unique experiences for passengers.

Three times a week – 13 hours and 25 minutes one way

The Paris – Fuzhou route operates three times a week (MF825 & MF826) every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 13 hours and 25 minutes one way. It departs from Paris at 13:30 (GMT+8) and arrives at Fuzhou around 07:30 the next morning; the returning flight departs at 00:30 from Fuzhou Changle International Airport (FOC) and reaches Paris at 06:55.

Xiamen Airlines also extends its network to 9 European metro cities including London, Athens, Prague, Madrid and Barcelona through interline cooperation with Air France, Czech Airlines and etc.

Experience Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Classic Chinese and Western Cuisine

The route is operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Passengers can enjoy more leg room and personal space, extra large windows and dynamic LED lights to help adjust jet lag. The 180-degree recline seats in business class and first class allows a better sleep during long distance travel. In-flight Wi-Fi, entertainment, duty-free shopping, and membership rewards are also provided to further enhance in-flight experience.

The in-flight meal is specially designed with cultural influences from both Paris and Fuzhou.

The western style option “Love of Paris” is designed by Angelo Faoro Marino, executive chef of Wyndham Destinations. The appetizer is sous-vide foie gras mousse. Main course is served with Australian grainfed lamb fillet cooked into the shape of “Chevalier”, Chateau Beychevelle claret and soupe à l’oignon, and dessert is triple dark chocolate cake with Chateau Soutard wine.

The Chinese style option “Charm of Rong-City (Fuzhou)” was inspired by its local cuisine, tea culture and scenic spots. The appetizer is tea-taste meat hors d’oeuvres with tea-taste ribs soup. Main course is served with chopped-chili sea bass and Da-Hong-Pao tea-taste short ribs. Dessert is jasmine puff. Each bite takes passengers through histories and stories of Fuzhou, passionate or gentle, bustling or tranquil.

Xiamen Airlines Accelerates Globalization

Xiamen Airlines is the first modern enterprise airlines in China. Founded in 1984, it has become the fifth largest airlines in China after 34 years of steady growth, and is the only airlines profitable for 31 consecutive years. It is also praised as ‘the Epitome of China’s Civic Aviation Industry’.

Since 2015, Xiamen Airlines has launched new intercontinental routes connecting Europe, North America and Oceania. From Xiamen and Fuzhou, passengers all around the world can seamlessly travel to more hot-spot destinations in Greater China area, Southeast and Northeast Asia.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Xiamen Air Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner B-1567 (msn 63041) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944731.

Xiamen Air aircraft slide show:

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Xiamen Air retires its last four Boeing 757-200s

Xiamen Air made this announcement on social media on December 1, 2018:

December 1 marked that the Boeing 757 ended his era of being a passenger airplane in China as our last Boeing 757 touched down in Xiamen Airport and completed its final commercial flight. Farewell, the most handsome member of the fleet.

Note: Xiamen Air operated four Boeing 757-200s at the end. B-2868 (msn 32941) had the honor of operating the last revenue flight, flight MF8512 from Shanghai (Hongqiao) to Xiamen.

Above Photo credit: @江畔寻歌 (Weibo)

Top Copyright Photo: This pictured 757 was also retired. Xiamen Air Boeing 757-25C B-2869 (msn 32942) PEK (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944470.

Xiamen Air aircraft slide show:

Boeing delivers its 2,000th airplane to China

Boeing today delivered its 2,000^th airplane to a Chinese operator, a 737 MAX for Xiamen Airlines. The milestone and the pace at which it was reached reflect the accelerating growth in the world’s largest commercial aviation market.

Boeing delivered its first 1,000 airplanes to Chinese airlines over four decades. The next 1,000 Boeing jets have now been delivered over the past five years. The rapid pace continues as one in four Boeing-made commercial jet goes to a Chinese operator, either through direct purchase or lease.

XiamenAir 737 MAX 8 C1 Flight: Milestone 2000th Boeing Aircraft for China – November 29, 2018

The new 737 MAX delivered today sports a special logo commemorating the milestone. It is the eighth MAX airplane to join fast-growing Xiamen Airlines, which operates the largest all-Boeing fleet in China with more than 200 jets. The carrier also uses Boeing Global Services to improve the efficiency of its network and operations. Xiamen is the first Chinese airline to use Optimized Maintenance Program, which leverages Boeing AnalytX to recommend customized airplane maintenance plans.

“We’re pleased to be a part of this historic delivery for Boeing and China,” said Che Shanglun, chairman of Xiamen Airlines. “In our 34-year history of operations, Xiamen Airlines has steadily grown, doubling our fleet size over the past five years and achieving profits for 31 years in a row. Throughout that time, Boeing has been a valued partner in our growth and expansion by providing safe and reliable airplanes.”

Xiamen Airlines is one of Boeing’s more than 30 commercial customers in China. In all, Boeing-made jets comprise more than half of the greater than 3,000 jetliners flying in the country.

China’s commercial fleet is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Boeing forecasts that China will need 7,690 new airplanes, valued at $1.2 trillion, by 2038. Boeing also forecasts China will experience strong growth in the commercial services market with demand growing $1.5 trillion over the next 20 years, accounting for 17 percent of world demand.

China also plays a major role in building the world’s jetliners. The Chinese aerospace manufacturing industry supplies parts for every Boeing jet, including the 737 MAX, 777, and 787 Dreamliner. In December, Boeing and the Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) are set to deliver the first 737 MAX airplane from a completion and delivery center in Zhoushan, China. The facility will handle interior work and exterior painting of 737 MAXs for the Chinese market. Final assembly work will continue to be done at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Wash.

Boeing activity in China is valued at more than $1 billion in economy activity in China. This includes procurement from Boeing’s extensive supply base, joint venture revenues, operations, training, and research and development investment.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Boeing): Xiamen Air Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 B-1136 (msn 43831) (2000th Boeing aircraft for China) BFI (Joe G. Walker). Image: 944602.

Xiamen Air aircraft slide show: