Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir), founded in 1984, is a pioneering Chinese carrier headquartered in Xiamen, Fujian Province. As China's first airline operated as an independent enterprise and joint venture between central and local governments, it has grown into a major player with a modern fleet of 174 aircraft serving over 320 domestic and international routes.

A SkyTeam member since 2012—the first mainland Chinese airline outside the big three state carriers to join a global alliance—XiamenAir operates primary hubs at Xiamen Gaoqi (XMN), Fuzhou Changle (FOC), Hangzhou Xiaoshan (HGH), and Beijing Daxing (PKX). Its network spans China, Southeast Asia, Europe (Amsterdam, Paris), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne), and North America (Seattle, Los Angeles, New York).

Renowned for its 'A Heron Flying High' logo symbolizing grace and ambition, XiamenAir offers full-service experiences with business class on long-haul flights via Boeing 787 Dreamliners and premium economy/domestic first class. It ended a 37-year all-Boeing era in 2022 by introducing Airbus A321neos, boasting one of China's youngest fleets at 9.9 years average age.

Passenger reviews praise its cleanliness, on-time performance, and friendly Minnan-accented service, earning a Skytrax 3-Star rating and TripAdvisor 3.5/5. Challenges include limited inflight entertainment and occasional language barriers. With subsidiaries Hebei and Jiangxi Airlines, it carries nearly 25 million passengers annually, emphasizing innovation like air-rail intermodals and Egret Miles loyalty.

XiamenAir stands out for financial independence, rapid expansion, and blending Fujian heritage with global connectivity.