Review: Xiamen Air Business Class 757 Xiamen To Chengdu

Reading the Chinese characters, the “tooth mug” is a mug used for rinsing your mouth when brushing teeth. It’s not a literal translation nor I’ve never heard of a tooth mug either. 🙂

Welcome to my hometown. Not the best time to visit tho, October is very cloudy and rainy in Chengdu. Enjoy Panda, food, and sceneries on the west mountain side of Chengdu.

Great review on Xiamen's domestic flight.
I've flown them from Melbourne to Beijing in their business and ALL FOUR flights were operated by 787-9. Arguably the world's best business class seat, great food, excellent flight attendants, empty cabin (5 out of 30 on MEL-XMN) and I only paid A$1600.
The only downside, though, is "I" fare only earns 100% redeemable and 75% MQM on Delta.

Inland flights don't get many westerners, so I doubt it's worth it for the airline to have a western food option -- no more than a US airline is going to have an asian food option on the domestic segment. I'm glad you've had a good experience on xiamen. I think too many Americans lump all the Chinese carriers together. I've never been on a China Eastern flight that didn't smell like an ashtray. I've never been on a Xiamen flight that didn't have good food, service, and a clean atmosphere.

Would have loved to see a review of the olive juice...

You were traveling on Sept. 30th which is the day before the national day of China which is 10/01. It's a major holiday and one where people take a vacation, so high volumes of traffic is expected, which makes sense for the upgrade to a 757.

As for the hot water served, Chinese people traditionally only drink the hot water. It's partially due to health reasons, hot water disposes of some of germs and bacteria in the water, China wasn't known for a modern water system. On the other hand, it is customary to drink tea which is piping hot, so it's natural to drink hot water. Just like westerners cannot get used to warm water, Chinese people are averse of the cold/ice water that is prevalent in the US and Europe, people that have grown up drinking only warm water just aren't suited to the temperature of cold water, which causes strain on their stomachs.

“ I wish they serve western options on a Chinese domestic flight “ wow I really find this lack of perspective amusing

Wow, those are some seriously BRIGHT colours!

@Michael I don't see a place where he says that... I searched the article but I don't think he actually said that. But if he did, that would be lacking perspective, I agree.

I, too, wish Chinese carriers served Indian food.

@KyKatRo can't learn to search or read?

Given that there's not a plethora of authentic Chinese food on domestic US flights, I can't really justify your sentiment that domestic Chinese flights should offer Western options.
In fact, it seems a bit myopic.

A three-class 757 with angled-flat in F and recliner in J - it's a throwback to United's old premium transcon configuration!

I'm willing to bet there will be a follow-up where Lucky comments how his desire for more western dishes on intra-Asia flights were misconstrued, but it is hard to defend such a smug comment. Previous commenters are correct; no one blinks an eye at the last of international cuisine on US carriers for domestic first class, so why should we expect the opposite in other countries?

For all of his millions of miles flown over the years, Lucky still lacks a great deal of cultural awareness. Perhaps actually living in another country for a while might shed some light on his beliefs and put things into perspective. Just because you "pay" for business/first class all over the globe it doesn't mean you've earned the right to demand things that are more aligned with your personal tastes. Exactly what type of food would he expect to be served on a mainland Chinese carrier?

I know I'm not forced to read this blog and there are countless others that can compensate for giving up OMAAT, but it is becoming increasingly more difficult to overlook Lucky's one-sided perspective on so many topics. He's come such a long way from his very humble beginnings which is pretty sad and disappointing.

I have to admit I'm a bit confused about those criticizing me for suggesting that I wish Xiamen Air offered a western option, or at least a second option, on this flight. Every single flight I've taken on a Chinese airline has offered both a western and Chinese option. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going crazy, so I started Googling other reviews of domestic flights within China, and almost all of them had a choice between a Chinese and a western option. My recent Air China flight from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar (not a domestic flight, but roughly the same length) had the choice between a Chinese and western option. Our return flight on Xiamen Air from Chengdu to Xiamen had a western option.

That's just the norm. So my expectation wasn't based on how I think things should be, but rather based on everything I've experienced on Chinese airlines ever (and I've flown a lot of Chinese airlines).

For what it's worth, six of the eight business class passengers were western, and most of the trays went back with a lot of food.

So maybe it wasn't right to say that I wish there was a western option, as I would have been happy with another Chinese option as well. I've had plenty of great Chinese meals on planes, though since I don't eat pork, that sometimes makes it tough.

To those reading into things beyond that, I'm sorry if it came across differently. But I have legitimately never been on a flight within China where there wasn't at least two options for the meal (the only choice here was between the congee and porridge, which was the side dish).

I know Chinese tend to be extremely superstitious and also every color equals a element ( water, fire, wood, metal, etc), but this seat color scheme is atrocious!

To those criticizing Lucky for his comment about western food option on the flight- GO WASH SOME DISHES or DO SOME LAUNDRY. Gimme a break!!!!!!!!

Almost every chinese flight EVER has a western option, and Lucky out of everyone else knows that, so its normal that he would question that this specific flight didnt have one.

People these days get sensitive over anything....sheesh.

Alex E +1

Please have the olive juice!

I'm really enjoying the china trip report.

I never cease to be amazed at the comments section full of people who take everything in a negative manner. Even without your explanation, i didn't read your "i wish they had served something i wanted to eat" in a negative manner. That's kind of a normal thing to hope for and doesn't show a lack of perspective or cultural awareness. When southwest is out of cheese crackers, i wish they had them. Shame on me.