I decided I wanted to visit my dear friend Brett in The Netherlands and checked online for flight options. Expecting high airfares, I was pleasantly surprised to find a return ticket on Xiamen Airlines for under AU$1100! Although the short stay of 6 days limited my options, further research revealed I could extend my trip to Europe for two weeks for just under AU$1200! This also included a stopover in Xiamen with accommodation, transfer and breakfast for one night! Despite initial nerves about flying with a relatively unknown airline, the bargain was too good to pass up. So, off I went.
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Xiamen Airlines
Xiamen Airlines is a Chinese airline based in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Established in 1984, it is now one of China’s largest airlines and operates both domestic and international flights. Known for its modern fleet, good service, and competitive pricing, Xiamen Airlines has earned a solid reputation among travellers. It is also a member of the SkyTeam alliance, while the price maybe cheap, the airline is not considered low cost.
Xiamen Airlines operates the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a state of the art aircraft known for its fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and advanced technology. The Boeing 787 is a popular choice for long-haul flights due to its spacious cabin, large windows, and reduced cabin altitude, which helps alleviate jet lag. Xiamen Airlines utilises the Boeing 787 to serve key international routes, offering passengers a modern and comfortable travel experience.
The Seat
On the Xiamen Airlines Boeing 787-9, there are 30 seats in Business Class and 260 seats in Economy Class. I’m seated in the second Economy Class cabin, in an aisle seat in row 62.
Xiamen Airlines aims to provide a comfortable travel experience for its passengers by offering amenities such as complimentary water, pillows, and blankets. There are wing headrests that are adjustable and the seat pocket is quite roomy. However, the seats became uncomfortable over time. They were simply too hard for long haul travel.
There is however surprisingly generous legroom, the seat pitch in 32″ which is on the larger side. The bifold tray table makes it convenient to move in and out of your seat while keeping your drink accessible, and there’s even a cup holder.
Entertainment
I’ll be frightfully honest here, there is not a huge amount on offer. Satisfying for this nine hour flight, but I worried the next flight I would be bored…
I counted around 40 movies in English. While there were several other options in Chinese and other foreign languages, these only came with Chinese subtitles and not english (that I could find).
The inflight map is not interactive but gives a good indication of where you are at and how far to go.
Meals
I was astounded that two full meals were served on this nine hour flight, unlike most airlines from Australia to Asia where they serve one main meal and what may be considered a snack service. However, there are no menus on board and with a slight language barrier, I wasnt really certain what I was receiving, oh well, lets run with it!
The first meal service began shortly after takeoff, offering a choice between chicken or beef. Opting for the chicken, I found the meal satisfying. Drinks were promptly served following the meal, it would have been preferable to have drinks with the meal.
The chicken in creamy lemon herb sauce was enjoyable and well prepared. The creamy texture and tangy lemon flavour was a delightful combination. The catering out of Sydney was wonderful, I was quite impressed! The meal also came with three, yes three side dishes!
The first course is a side salad featuring tabbouleh atop iceberg lettuce, with a slice of ham on top of that. While the addition of ham was unexpected, the tabbouleh itself was delicious, offering a refreshing and flavourful side.
A refreshing side dish of fruit, including watermelon, rockmelon, and honeydew, adds a burst of freshness and sweetness to the meal, providing a delightful contrast to the savoury flavours of the main.
Dessert met my expectations with a lovely chocolate fudge cake. Its rich and indulgent flavour was a delightful conclusion to the meal.
Finally, the drinks trolley made its way around after lunch was served, and I indulged in a glass of Chilean white wine. In Economy Class, the options for alcoholic beverages were limited to red or white wine. However, there were various non-alcoholic options available, including regular cola or Sprite, juice, tea, and coffee.
We were also served a small snack with the drinks. I did find this a little weird as usually the drinks and a snack are served first. Nonetheless, I really liked the dried carambola (star fruit).
The second meal service surprised me, its again a full meal! However I thought I heard there was pork with rice and I was expecting an Asian style dish…
Turns out it’s pork with mashed potatoes. The pork carries a paprika flavour, and while the mash is good, there’s quite a lot of it!
The side salad consisted of curry flavoured couscous sitting atop iceberg lettuce with a chunk of smoked chicken. While the smoked chicken was enjoyable, I wasn’t particularly fond of the couscous flavour.
While I would have liked a menu and perhaps an Asian style dish, overall, the meals on this sector were satisfying and plentiful. Well done, Xiamen Airlines!
Arrival in Xiamen
As previously mentioned, the flight included a rather long transit in Xiamen. I had arrived at 6.45pm and not due to fly to Amsterdam the following day at 12.35pm, so the airline provided a free hotel!
Navigating the protocols to reach the hotel can be a bit challenging. Essentially, I had to enter China on a transit visa (which caught the interest of the immigration officer due to my visit to Türkiye), collect my bags, and pass through customs. It took some time to locate the desk for the hotel, but once found, I was given a piece of paper and hopped on the airport transfer bus conveniently located just outside the terminal. However, when I arrived at the hotel I suddenly realised I may encounter an issue… Transfers were only included one way and I had to make my own way back to the airport. When I got to the hotel I realised I had not changed any money over to Chinese Yuan and only had credit cards and some Australian and American cash, There were no ATMs at the hotel and I was informed the taxi’s don’t take cards! Eeek! Thankfully a lovely couple overheard my dilemma and offered for me to travel back with them.
The room was tidy, featuring two beds which I appreciated as a solo traveler—I could use one for my bag. It was clean and included a fruit bowl and a couple of bottles of water in the fridge. However, it wasn’t until a few minutes after I arrived that I realised there was no television! I do like to have some background noise (even in a foreign language). The hotel was not located in the best area, it is quite residential. There is also no food options close to the hotel but they do provide QR codes for delivery service, however this proved quite difficult for someone that can’t read Chinese. Luckily I had some snacks packed into my bag – as a seasoned traveller you have no idea how any times I have arrived late at a hotel hungry and there is nothing open!
I was very glad to see that in the closet was a smoke mask… Thank goodness I didn’t need to use it.
Breakfast was included with the stay, so in the morning I headed down before the meet up time with my new found Belorussian friends.
So a slice of pizza for breakfast? Hey I’m on holidays so rules don’t apply. Alongside the pizza slice I try some side dishes simply labelled ‘exquisite sides’. Some sort of vegetable almost like Korean kimchi.
Alright, so you already know I’m a fan of congee. I’ve mentioned this before. I just adore the savoury and sweet flavours of congee. I was nervous to try the century egg (I’m not a fan of eggs in the first place), but its nice and the saltiness I do approve of.
After sharing a taxi with my new found friends, I was quite surprised I made it through security and immigration very quickly and was airside within 20 minutes. While passing security, the staff took a lighter out of my bag… no biggie, some airports do this….
Before my next flight, I decided to indulge in a scotch and coke at the airport bar. While I was sitting there, an airport security officer approached me and asked if I was traveling to Amsterdam. I confirmed that I was, and he informed me that I had a lighter still in my bag! I had completely forgotten about it, but I was truly surprised that, even after an hour, they not only checked the bag screening but also knew exactly where I was. It seems like this is a very secure airport—something I appreciate, even if it did feel a bit like Big Brother was watching…
So far Xiamen Airlines has been great and definitely worth the price. Stay tuned for part two!
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Matty Somewhere 
That was SO interesting! I’ve never really considered Xiamen airlines but at that price you’d be crazy not to. And also including the hotel is unusual but nice! 😮 I too would have loved an Asian meal (the ham on the salad and the amount of mash are a bit odd) but overall the food looked better than a lot of economy food that I’ve had.