XIAMEN AIRLINES (Xiamen Airport to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport), BOEING 737-800

Route: Xiamen Airport to Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport

Departure date of flight: March 28 2015, 10.50pm

Flight number: MF8185

Flight duration: 1 hour 10 minutes

Class: Economy Class

Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800
 
Punctuality of the flight:
 
This short-haul flight departed from Xiamen to Hangzhou. My experience of Xiamen Airport was that it came across as one of the cleanest and efficient airports in China (only from my personal experience). Like every other building and airport terminal in China, space doesn’t seem to be a major issue as there is plenty of that here – they certainly have invested a lot here.
The best part of the flight were the views. While landing into Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport, the plane makes a turning over Binjiang District, providing a full on view of the river and West Lake, as well as the whole of the beautiful Binjiang area (where I lived for over a year).

Any baggage issues:
 
No issues- I only had hand luggage.

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues:

No check in issues. Everything went perfectly smoothly at check-in at Xiamen Airport. The check-in gates for domestic flights to second and third tier cities, such as Hangzhou, are located in the A-section of the departures building (though this may change later).

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Herbal Chinese tea, orange juice and some other drinks, including tea and coffee. 

Comments regarding the first meal:

For this short-haul flight, we were served with a packet of salted peanuts.
 
Comments regarding the drinks service:

A second round of drinks were offered before (orange juice and water), during, and after the meal. Plenty of milk, coffee, and tea.

Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any):

None

Comments regarding the second meal (if any):

None

Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew:

The cabin crew seemed proud to work for Xiamen Airlines, and provide a very warm and friendly service. The airline has a nice livery, which has recently been introduced.  

Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): 

Xiamen Airlines fleet consists of a mixture of Boeing aircraft, namely 787, 757 and 737 aircraft, with a variety of new Boeing 737-700/800/900NGs. All of the 737 aircraft come in the following configuration:
 
Economy Class seats have a pitch of 32 inches, and a width of 18 inches
First Class seats have a pitch of 38 inches, and a width of 21 inches (some aircraft have Economy Class seating).

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 10

Snacks on-board Xiamen Airlines: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

The spacious domestic terminal at Xiamen Airport: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

The domestic terminal at Xiamen Airport: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Xiamen Airport has a major maintenance facility- usually you see the Boeing 747 or a Boeing 777 parked. On this occasion, there was a Cathay Pacific 777, KLM 747-400, and an Evergreen 747-200F (pictured): Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Xiamen Airport has a major maintenance facility- usually you see the Boeing 747 or a Boeing 777 parked. On this occasion, there was a Cathay Pacific 777, KLM 747-400, and an Evergreen 747-200F (pictured): Photo Copyright Navjot Singh