Xiamen Airlines has just revealed its plans that it will be launching flights from Beijing (PKX) and Xiamen (XMN) to Doha (DOH) starting in October to promote travel between China and Qatar.
This is an interesting development as the China-based airline will be the first SkyTeam carrier outside the Middle East to operate in Doha and the first Chinese carrier to operate a nonstop route to Doha.
Xiamen Airlines Launching Flights From Beijing to Doha As Of October 20, 2023
As of October 20, 2023, Xiamen Airlines will be launching the Beijing-Daxing (PKX) to Doha (DOH) route and it will be operated on the following schedules:
- MF845 – Beijing-Daxing to Doha departing at 18:30 and arriving at 22:45
- MF846 – Doha to Beijing-Daxing departing at 02:00 and arriving at 15:20
The airline will be running daily nonstop service between the two cities and the flight time is blocked at 9hr15min outbound and 8hr20min inbound.
Xiamen Airlines will be operating Boeing B787-9s on this route which features 287 seats (30 in Business and 257 in Economy).
The daily flights from Beijing will complement the existing Qatar Airways daily flight. Therefore, we can expect there will be capacity dispersal as the current Qatar Airways flight is always fully booked.
Xiamen Airlines Launching Flights From Xiamen to Doha As Of October 31, 2023
Starting October 31, 2023, the airline will also launch its second route to Doha – the Xiamen (XMN) to Doha (DOH) route with the following schedule:
- MF831 – Xiamen to Doha departing at 00:00 and arriving at 05:00
- MF832 – Doha to Xiamen departing at 19:30 and arriving at 07:55 (+1 day)
The airline will be running 2x weekly services (Tuesdays and Fridays) initially between the two cities and the flight time is blocked at 9hr55min outbound and 7hr25min inbound.
This route will be operated by Boeing B787-8s which features 235 seats (4 in First, 18 in Business and 215 in Economy). Interestingly, Xiamen Airlines will not be selling First Class seats since I couldn’t manage to see a First Class ticket sold on the website. It is likely that these four seats will be assigned to full-fare Business Class passengers or elite members.
Why is Xiamen Airlines Launching Flights to Doha?
Now it comes with a curiosity why this Chinese airline is launching nonstop flights to Doha. This comes after the strengthening of aviation ties between China and the Middle East as air travel rebounds from the Covid crisis.
The airline has a number of flights dropped from the US and many Western countries therefore the free-up fleets can now operate to the Middle East. Moreover, Xiamen Airlines just launched a new codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways. This means passengers can connect from Doha with Qatar Airways to numerous destinations.
Similar to Japan Airlines, I think the flights between Beijing and Xiamen will act as feeder flights to connect more passengers.
Summary
As of October 20, 2023, Xiamen Airlines will be launching daily nonstop flights between Beijing and Doha. This daily service will be operated by B787-9s. The airline will supplement Qatar Airways’ existing Beijing to Doha flights.
In addition to this new route, the Xiamen-based carrier will also launch its second route to Doha – From Xiamen to Doha starting October 31, 2023. This route will be served twice weekly with B787-8s that feature a First Class cabin.
