EVA Air vs Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir)

Overview

EVA Air (EVA Airways Corporation, BR) is an international airline headquartered in Luzhu, Taoyuan, Taiwan. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 8 March 1989 and began operations on 1 July 1991. It is part of the Evergreen Group, is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (2618), and is a member of Star Alliance. Its regional subsidiary is UNI Air. EVA Air is widely credited with creating the premium economy cabin.

Network and hubs

The main hub is Taipei Taoyuan, with focus cities at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Kaohsiung and Taipei Songshan. The airline serves destinations across Asia, North America and Europe; Plane Finder lists about 61 destinations.

Fleet

The official fleet page lists 89 aircraft in service as of 1 September 2026. These comprise:

• 32 Boeing 777-300ER
• 9 Boeing 787-9 (8 more on order)
• 13 Boeing 787-10 (4 on order)
• 9 Airbus A330-300
• 17 Airbus A321-200
• 9 Boeing 777F freighters

On order are 24 Airbus A350-1000 and 18 Airbus A321neo.

On board

Long-haul flights offer Royal Laurel or Premium Laurel (business), Premium Economy and Economy. All cabins have seatback audio and video on demand. EVA Air has introduced a fourth-generation Premium Economy seat on the 787-9, with 42 in of pitch. Older 777-300ER Premium Economy seats have 38 in, according to a third-party review. The same site reports 31-33 in of Economy pitch on the 777-300ER. Meal and Wi-Fi provision varies by route and aircraft, so check at booking.

Good to know

• Baggage: According to the airline's FAQ, Economy and Premium Economy passengers may carry one 7 kg cabin bag (maximum 23 x 36 x 56 cm); business passengers may carry two. Checked allowances depend on route and fare, and Basic and Discount fares can include less. The airline's Basic fare includes 23 kg within Asia.
• Lounges: At Taoyuan there are four lounges: The Garden, The Infinity, The Star and The Club. Access depends on cabin and frequent-flyer tier.
• Loyalty: Infinity MileageLands miles can be used for upgrades and award tickets on EVA Air, UNI Air and Star Alliance partners.
• Fees and on-time data: Change fees vary by fare, and no published on-time figure was found.

Overview

Xiamen Airlines, branded XiamenAir, is a Chinese airline based in Xiamen, Fujian. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 25 July 1984 and was the first airline in China to operate independently as an enterprise. China Southern Airlines owns 51%. XiamenAir is a member of SkyTeam. Its subsidiaries include Hebei Airlines and Jiangxi Airlines.

Network and hubs

The main hubs are Xiamen and Fuzhou, with Beijing–Daxing and Hangzhou as secondary hubs. Focus cities include Changsha, Chongqing, Quanzhou, Shanghai–Hongqiao, Tianjin and Yinchuan. SkyTeam lists about 101 destinations in 18 countries and roughly 590 daily departures. The network covers China, Southeast and Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia and North America. Routes Online reports a planned first Africa route, Xiamen–Addis Ababa, using a Boeing 787-8.

Fleet

Wikipedia and SkyTeam give a fleet of 172 aircraft, with an average age of about six years per SkyTeam. Routes Online quotes a larger figure of 220 aircraft, which appears to use a different basis. Long-haul flying uses Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft (10 in total, according to Routes Online). The rest of the fleet is Boeing narrow-body aircraft, including the 737 MAX per Wikidata. Check the airline for current counts.

On board

Business and Economy cabins are offered. Economy fares are sold in several brands: Light, Standard, Comfort and Flex. Some domestic flights have a First Class cabin. Seat pitch, meal and entertainment details were not confirmed from the sources reviewed and vary by aircraft and route.

Good to know

• Cabin baggage: one bag up to 5 kg and 55x25x35 cm, according to XiamenAir. First Class passengers may carry two items on domestic flights.
• Checked baggage: on the same page, Business allows 2 x 32 kg and Economy 2 x 23 kg on the routes listed. Domestic allowances are lower (20 kg in Economy) and international allowances depend on the fare brand.
• Excess baggage: the baggage page lists fees for extra pieces, for example CNY 1,400 for a first additional 23 kg piece on the route group shown.
• Lounges: Plaza Premium lounge access applies to Business Class passengers and to Egret Gold and Silver cardholders.
• Loyalty: the programme is Egret Miles, and SkyTeam elite status gives extra baggage allowance.