Qatar Airways announced a codeshare partnership with Xiamen Airlines, marking the first Chinese airline to operate non-stop passenger flights from mainland China to Qatar. Under this cooperation agreement, Xiamen Airlines will launch daily flights connecting Beijing Daxing International Airport and Hamad International Airport, the home base of Qatar Airways, utilizing their state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The flights, set to commence on 20th October 2023, will arrive in Doha at 22:45 and depart at 02:00, facilitating passengers with optimal connections to key markets through the extensive global network of Qatar Airways, spanning beyond Doha to regions in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Expansion to Fujian Province
In addition to the Beijing flights, Xiamen Airlines will also introduce two weekly flights from Xiamen, the special economic zone in Fujian Sheng province, to Doha. Set to start on 31st October 2023, these flights promise seamless connectivity with the Qatar Airways network, arriving in Doha from Xiamen at 05:00 and departing in the afternoon at 19:30.
Boosting Presence in Mainland China
This partnership will significantly bolster Qatar Airways’ presence in mainland China, which encompasses 6 destinations served by a total of 31 weekly flights operated by Qatar Airways, in addition to double daily flights to Hong Kong. As part of the new agreement, Xiamen Airlines will integrate its marketing code on Qatar Airways flights to and from Beijing.
Established in 1984, Xiamen Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. The five-star airline is renowned for its high level of service and operational excellence, offering a network spanning 105 destinations in China and around the world.
Aircraft Specifications
The new direct services from Beijing to Doha will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 configured with two classes accommodating 287 passengers, featuring 30 seats in business class and 257 in economy class. The Xiamen-Doha-Xiamen route, serviced by a Boeing 787-8, will have a capacity for 237 passengers across three classes, including 4 seats in first class, 18 in business class, and 215 in economy class.
Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways Group, said that the company is “thrilled to announce this comprehensive cooperation and to welcome our new partner, Xiamen Airlines, to Hamad International Airport, our home in Qatar. We are proud and honored that Xiamen Airlines has chosen Doha as a new addition to its network and its sole destination in the Middle East. Their flights are perfectly aligned with our unmatched global network, offering customers of both airlines more choices and uninterrupted travel experiences.”
Zhao Dong, President of Xiamen Airlines, said that “Both Qatar Airways and Xiamen Airlines are winners of the 2022 APEX World Class Awards, showcasing our joint commitment to high-quality service. The partnership of two Five-Star airlines will bring wonderful flight experiences to customers worldwide.”
