XiamenAir Airlines Sales

Xiamen Airlines (also branded as XiamenAir) is a full-service Chinese carrier based in Xiamen, Fujian province. It's majority-owned by China Southern Airlines and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance — the first mainland Chinese airline outside the big three state-owned carriers to join a global alliance. Founded in 1984, it now operates over 320 routes with a fleet that includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners on its long-haul services. You might not have heard of it, but it's one of China's larger airlines carrying around 25 million passengers a year.

Xiamen Airlines holds a Skytrax 3-Star rating, but has been awarded APEX Five-Star International Airline status for three consecutive years. It's a genuine full-service carrier — meals, drinks, entertainment, and a generous two-bag checked luggage allowance are all included. The 787 Dreamliner fleet used on Australian routes offers a comfortable cabin with good air quality and lower cabin altitude. It won't feel like flying a premium Gulf carrier, but for the price point it's solid value on the Australia–China route.

Xiamen Airlines flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne to Xiamen, with around eight flights per week from each city. It's the only airline offering nonstop service on both routes. All flights are operated on Boeing 787 Dreamliners (a mix of 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft). From Xiamen, you can connect onward to dozens of cities across China or continue to international destinations in Asia and Europe.

On Australian routes, Xiamen Airlines offers Economy and Business Class. The Boeing 787-9 has Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout with lie-flat seats and direct aisle access — a solid product for the price. The 787-8 has Business Class in a 2-2-2 layout with lie-flat seats, though without guaranteed aisle access. Economy on both aircraft types has around 32 inches of legroom with personal seatback entertainment screens, USB charging, and power outlets.

On the Australia–China route, Economy passengers get two checked bags of up to 23kg each — that's 46kg total, which is very generous compared to most airlines. Business Class passengers get even more. Carry-on allowance is one bag up to 5kg with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20cm. The included two-bag allowance is a real advantage if you're shopping in China or travelling with family, and it saves you from paying excess baggage fees that can add up quickly.

Yes — all Xiamen Airlines fares include complimentary meals and seatback entertainment. On the Australia routes you'll get full meal services with a choice of Chinese and Western dishes, plus complimentary drinks. Special dietary meals including vegetarian, halal, and gluten-free options can be pre-ordered at least 24 hours before departure. The 787 aircraft have personal entertainment screens at every seat with movies, TV shows, and music. Some newer 787-9s also offer onboard Wi-Fi.

Xiamen Airlines has its own loyalty programme called Egret Miles, which was completely overhauled in early 2026 with simpler rules and better benefits. As a SkyTeam alliance member, you can also earn and redeem miles across partner airlines like Korean Air, Delta, China Eastern, and Vietnam Airlines. Egret Miles has over 30 million members and offers VIP tiers with benefits like lounge access, complimentary upgrades, and priority boarding. Your status also maps to SkyTeam Elite tiers for benefits across the alliance.

From Xiamen, you can connect to over 60 cities across China including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Xi'an. International connections include Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok, Amsterdam, and Paris. Xiamen itself is worth a stopover — it's a coastal city with great seafood, colonial architecture on Gulangyu Island, and a relaxed atmosphere. Australian passport holders can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days (extended to December 2026), making a stopover straightforward.

Track Xiamen Airlines fares on IWantThatFlight and set up fare alerts to catch price drops. Xiamen Airlines is often one of the most competitively priced options for flights between Australia and China. When comparing fares, remember to factor in the two free checked bags at 23kg each and included meals — that's a lot of value baked into the ticket price. If you're heading beyond Xiamen to other Chinese cities, the connecting flights through Xiamen's hub are usually well-timed and affordable.