Hong Kong Airlines vs Xiamen Airlines (XiamenAir)

Overview

Hong Kong Airlines is a Hong Kong-based carrier with headquarters in Tung Chung. According to Wikipedia, it was founded on 28 March 2001 as CR Airways and renamed Hong Kong Airlines in September 2006. It is part of the HNA group and is not a member of a global alliance. It is a separate company from Cathay Pacific's subsidiaries Cathay Pacific, HK Express and Air Hong Kong.

Network and hubs

The sole hub is Hong Kong International Airport. The network covers mainland China, Japan, South-East Asia, Taiwan and Australia, with Vancouver as a North American destination. Recent additions include Urumqi (two weekly A330-300 flights from 29 August 2026) and Lanzhou (weekly, from May 2026).

Fleet

As of August 2026, Wikipedia lists 17 Airbus A320-200s, 3 A321-200s and 5 A330-300s in passenger service, about 25 aircraft. Six A330-200 freighters are listed in the same table; they belong to the cargo business, which is not open to passengers.

On board

• Cabins: Business and Economy. One A330-300 layout has 32 Business and 260 Economy seats.
• Entertainment: Personal TVs are fitted on A330s. Selected short-haul flights offer a Wi-Fi-based inflight intranet with video on demand.
• Dining: The airline has introduced an upgraded menu, according to Time Out Hong Kong. Meal inclusion varies by route and fare, so check when booking.

Good to know

• Baggage: From 7 May 2025, economy passengers get one checked bag starting at 23 kg and a 7 kg cabin bag. Business Class gets 64 kg across two pieces and two cabin bags totalling 15 kg. Allowances can differ on short regional routes, so check the airline's site for your ticket.
• Lounges: Per a 2025 press release, a premium lounge is open to Business Class passengers, Fortune Wings Club Platinum and Gold members and some other eligible travellers.
• Loyalty: The programme is Fortune Wings Club, shared with several Chinese sister airlines.
• Pets: In-cabin pet travel was introduced on selected Japan routes (Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya) in 2025.

Fares, on-time figures and change fees were not found in the sources checked. Confirm them with the airline before booking.

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.