Xiamen Airlines North America routes to begin with new Dreamliner

Low-cost Chinese carrier Xiamen Airlines has recently acquired its first ever Boeing 787 Dreamliner and revealed its strategy to expand its global footprint.

Xiamen Airlines, which is currently headquartered in China’s southeastern province of Fujian, said that it is mulling to use its new Dreamliner to introduce its first ever long-haul flights to various destinations in North America, Europe and Australia.

Che Shanglun, Xiamen Airlines’ President & Chairman, said that it is a matter of great pride that the airline has finally taken the delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline said that the Dreamliner is also its first wide-body aircraft on its entire all-Boeing fleet.

Shanglun hoped that the exceptional efficiency and innovative technology will help the Dreamliner become a key factor in Xiamen Airlines’ international expansion and future growth.

Xiamen Airlines has so far been operating a single-aisle fleet of more than 100 Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 aircrafts. The airline has until now been providing services in various cities in China and Taiwan. Prominent regional hubs such as Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and Singapore are also being served by the airline.

According to the airline, the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft will be equipped with 237 seats configured in three classes. The airline, which is a part of SkyTeam alliance since late 2012, hopes to usher in a new long-haul era.

Xiamen Airlines has placed orders for a total of six Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircrafts. It will now become the third airline in China to operate Dreamliners. The other two Chinese carriers operating similar aircrafts include Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines. The airline aims to expand its fleet to 150 aircrafts from the existing 106.