Xiamen AirlinesMF

Xiamen Airlines is a major Chinese carrier headquartered in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Founded in 1984, it holds the distinction of being China's first airline established with private investment. The airline is now a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines, which owns a majority stake, though it maintains independent operations and branding.

As a member of the SkyTeam alliance since November 2012, Xiamen Airlines offers passengers seamless connections to over 1,000 destinations worldwide through partner airlines including Delta, Air France-KLM, and Korean Air. The airline operates a fleet of approximately 200 aircraft, primarily Boeing 737s, 787 Dreamliners, and 757s, serving over 300 domestic and international routes.

Xiamen Airlines is known for its distinctive white egret logo and "egret hospitality" service philosophy inspired by Fujian culture. The carrier serves as a key gateway between mainland China and Taiwan (where it was the first mainland Chinese airline to operate), Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.

Carry-On Allowance

Class	Pieces	Weight per Piece	Dimensions
Economy	1	5 kg (11 lbs)	55 x 40 x 20 cm (22 x 16 x 8 in)
Business	2	5 kg (11 lbs) each	55 x 40 x 20 cm each
First	2	5 kg (11 lbs) each	55 x 40 x 20 cm each

Note: Xiamen Airlines enforces a 5 kg carry-on weight limit, which is stricter than many international carriers. Small personal items (handbag, laptop bag) are permitted in addition.

Checked Baggage - Domestic China (Weight Concept)

Domestic routes use a total weight allowance:

Class	Total Allowance	Max per Piece
Economy	20 kg (44 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)
Business	30 kg (66 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)
First	40 kg (88 lbs)	32 kg (70 lbs)

You may check multiple bags within your total weight allowance.

Checked Baggage - International (Piece Concept)

Most International Routes:

Class	Pieces Included	Weight per Piece
Economy	1 bag	23 kg (50 lbs)
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
First	3 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Routes to North America (US, Canada):

Class	Pieces Included	Weight per Piece
Economy	2 bags	23 kg (50 lbs) each
Business	2 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each
First	3 bags	32 kg (70 lbs) each

Size Limit: 158 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions (length + width + height) for all checked bags.

Excess Baggage Fees

Domestic Flights:

Condition	Fee
Per kg over allowance	CNY 15 (~USD 2)

International Flights:

Condition	Fee (CNY)	Fee (USD)
Extra piece	1,500	~210
Overweight (23-32 kg)	1,000	~140
Oversized (159-203 cm linear)	1,000	~140

Important: Bags exceeding 32 kg (70 lbs) or 203 cm (80 in) cannot be checked as baggage.

Prepaid Baggage: Available through xiamenair.com at discounted rates when purchased before check-in.

Elite Status Benefits

Egret Club Status	Domestic Bonus	International Bonus
Silver	+10 kg	+1 piece (23 kg)
Gold	+20 kg	+1 piece (23 kg)
Platinum	+30 kg	+1 piece (32 kg)

SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members receive additional baggage allowances when flying Xiamen Airlines.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Skis/snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag, max 203 cm linear
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be boxed, handlebars and pedals removed
Car seat	Free	In addition to baggage allowance
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair/mobility aids	Free
Small musical instruments	Free carry-on	If fits in overhead bin
Large musical instruments	Seat purchase or check	Hard case required if checked

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at xiamenair.com/baggage before traveling. 1 USD ≈ 7.2 CNY.

Xiamen Airlines emphasizes its "egret hospitality" service philosophy, incorporating elements of Fujian tea culture and Chinese traditions into the passenger experience.

Business Class

Available on Boeing 787 Dreamliner and select widebody aircraft:

Feature	Boeing 787	Boeing 757/737
Configuration	1-2-1	2-2
Pitch	72" (183 cm)	45-50" (114-127 cm)
Width	21-23" (53-58 cm)	20" (51 cm)
Recline	180-degree lie-flat	Recliner (45 degrees)
Screen	15.4" HD touchscreen	10-12"
Direct aisle	All seats (787)	No

Business Class Amenities:

• Lie-flat seats on long-haul 787 flights
• Fujian oolong tea service (Tieguanyin specialty)
• Multi-course meals with Chinese and Western options
• Amenity kits with premium toiletries
• Turndown service with blanket and pillow
• Priority check-in and boarding
• Access to Xiamen Airlines lounges and SkyTeam partner lounges

Economy Class

Feature	Boeing 787	Boeing 737
Configuration	3-3-3	3-3
Pitch	31-32" (79-81 cm)	30-31" (76-79 cm)
Width	17.5" (44 cm)	17" (43 cm)
Screen	9" touchscreen	Overhead monitors
Power	USB + AC outlet	USB on newer aircraft

Economy Class Features:

• Complimentary meals on all flights over 2 hours
• Hot meal service with Chinese and Western options
• Complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Pillows and blankets on long-haul flights
• Personal entertainment screens on 787 fleet

In-Flight Entertainment

Feature	Details
System	"Sky Show" seatback system (787)
Content	Movies, TV, music in Chinese and English
Selection	Mix of Chinese and international films
WiFi	Available on select 787 aircraft (paid)

Note: Entertainment options are more limited compared to global carriers. The 787 fleet offers the best experience with personal screens.

Dining

Business Class:

• Multi-course meals featuring Fujian and Chinese cuisines
• Signature Fujian dishes including local specialties
• Traditional Chinese tea ceremony service
• Premium wine and spirits selection
• Snacks available throughout flight

Economy Class:

• Complimentary hot meals on flights over 2 hours
• Choice between Chinese and Western dishes
• Complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks
• Tea and coffee service
• Cup noodles available on long flights

Special Meals: Available with 24-hour advance request. Options include vegetarian, Muslim, and dietary-specific meals.

Booking:

• Book directly on xiamenair.com for best support during disruptions
• Business Class fares are often significantly cheaper than Western carriers on the same routes
• Check for SkyTeam partner pricing through Delta, Air France-KLM for comparison
• Cross-strait routes (Taiwan) are a specialty with frequent service
• Sign up for Egret Club before booking to earn miles from first flight

Baggage:

• 5 kg carry-on limit is strictly enforced - pack light or check bags
• Prepay excess baggage online for discounts vs. airport rates
• Domestic weight concept allows spreading weight across multiple bags
• US routes include 2 checked bags in Economy - better than most international routes
• Call ahead for oversized sports equipment

At the Airport:

• Xiamen (XMN) Terminal 4 is modern and efficient
• Egret Club Gold and above get Business Class check-in
• Allow extra time at Chinese airports during holidays (Chinese New Year, Golden Week)
• Self-service kiosks available but may require assistance for international tickets
• SkyTeam lounges accessible for Gold/Platinum members

In-Flight:

• 787 Dreamliner has best Business Class product (lie-flat 1-2-1)
• Request the Chinese meal option for authentic Fujian cuisine
• Try the Tieguanyin oolong tea - Xiamen Airlines' specialty
• Entertainment selection limited compared to global carriers - download content beforehand
• WiFi available on some 787s but expensive and slow

Frequent Flyer:

• Egret Club integrates fully with SkyTeam - earn on Delta, KLM, Air France, etc.
• Gold status achievable with 50,000 km - reasonable for regular China travelers
• Miles also work on parent company China Southern routes
• Consider crediting flights to partner programs (Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue) for better redemption value
• 36-month expiration is generous but activity doesn't extend it

Best Value Routes:

• Xiamen-Los Angeles and Xiamen-Seattle often have competitive Business Class fares
• Cross-strait routes to Taiwan well-priced with convenient schedules
• Southeast Asia connections from Xiamen/Fuzhou can be cheaper than routing through Beijing/Shanghai
• Amsterdam route offers good connection to Europe via SkyTeam partner network

Common Issues:

• English website can be clunky - some features work better on Chinese site
• Customer service wait times can be long for English support
• Some promotional fares only bookable on Chinese language site
• Seat selection sometimes unavailable at booking - check in early for best options
• Carry-on weight limits strictly enforced - weigh bags before arriving

Connection Tips:

• Xiamen hub offers smooth domestic connections
• Allow 2+ hours for international connections at XMN
• SkyTeam connections through Amsterdam work well with KLM partnership
• China Southern connections seamless due to ownership integration