XiamenAir Flights: Baggage, Review & More

From Singapore, XiamenAir operates flights to Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou and many other cities in China. This guide places XiamenAir directly against Singapore Airlines and Scoot, explains what it is really like to fly with XiamenAir, and assists you in choosing the airline that matches your travel preferences.

Key Facts of XiamenAir Flights to China

XiamenAir operates non-stop services from Singapore Changi to its home hub at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport.

• Airline IATA code: MF.
• Primary hubs: Xiamen (XMN).
• Main Singapore routes: Singapore to Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Qingdao, etc.
• Alliance: A member of SkyTeam, means you can earn and redeem Egret Miles. You can also use those miles on SkyTeam airlines, for example China Eastern and Korean Air.
• Terminal: XiamenAir operates from Changi Terminal 1.
• Lounge: In Business Class or with SkyTeam Elite Plus status, you get access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Changi Terminal 1. This lounge offers a buffet and showers.
• Baggage: The standard Economy fare lets you check one bag that weighs up to 23 kg. The bag must not exceed 158 cm in dimensions—length plus width plus height. For carry-on, you can bring one piece that weighs up to 8 kg.

XiamenAir vs Singapore Airlines vs Scoot: At a Glance

To keep it simple, the short answer is:

• Best value full-service: XiamenAir
• Best premium experience: Singapore Airlines
• Tightest budget, carry-on only: Scoot
• Choose XiamenAir if you want a free checked bag and hot meals for less than Singapore Airlines.
• Choose Singapore Airlines if service consistency, premium comfort and free Wi-Fi matter most.
• Choose Scoot if you care mainly about the lowest possible fare.

XiamenAir vs Singapore Airlines vs Scoot Feature Comparison

Cabin and Seating

• XiamenAir. The cabin experience depends on the aircraft. Most services to Xiamen and Hangzhou use the newer Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner, which brings dimmable windows, USB charging at every seat and a tidy 3‑3‑3 Economy layout with around 31–32 inches of seat pitch. The Fuzhou route and some Xiamen rotations run on the older Boeing 737‑800, which is comfortable but has no seatback screens and, on most examples, no Wi‑Fi.
• Singapore Airlines. The cabin standard stays uniform across its China schedules, mostly flown on Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 jets. Economy offers about 32 inches of pitch, seatback entertainment and USB power at every position, with little guesswork from one flight to the next.
• Scoot. Boeing 787 aircraft are common on these routes, but the Economy product is built for value, not space. Seat pitch is about 30 inches, there are no seatback screens.

Check‑in and Online Check‑in

• XiamenAir. Online check‑in opens 24 hours before departure via the official website or mobile app and closes roughly two hours before take‑off. Airport check‑in counters at Changi Terminal 1 open around three hours before departure and close two hours prior to scheduled departure.
• Singapore Airlines. Online and mobile check‑in is available from 48 hours up to 90 minutes before departure, with straightforward seat changes and boarding passes issued instantly. Changi counters open around four hours before flights and close 50 minutes before departure. Self‑service kiosks are widely available for quick document checks and boarding pass printing, and priority lanes are offered for premium passengers and Star Alliance Gold members.
• Scoot. Web and app check‑in opens 48 hours before departure and shuts 90 minutes before take‑off. Its airport counters open three hours ahead for Boeing 787 services and close strictly 60 minutes before departure, with no late exceptions. Self‑service kiosks at Changi Terminal 1 offer an extra check‑in option, but all checked baggage still needs to be dropped at the counter.

Catering and Crew Service

• XiamenAir. Flights leaving Singapore are catered locally, with filling Chinese‑style dishes alongside straightforward Western options. Beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee are all included in Economy, with generous portions for the sector length. Crew are professional, safety‑focused and warm, though service pacing can vary between crews. Special meals must be requested well in advance through the booking portal.
• Singapore Airlines. This is the benchmark for polished, predictable service. Complimentary meals are carefully curated Asian and Western options, with refined presentation and regular, unhurried beverage rounds. Service standards stay consistent across the fleet, and Business Class passengers can use the Book‑the‑Cook pre‑order service for a more bespoke dining experience.
• Scoot. Meals run on a buy‑on‑board basis, with no food or drink included in the base fare. You can pre‑order online before departure or purchase items from the menu once airborne. Crew work efficiently on safety and operational tasks, but the service model does not extend to the level of hospitality you find on a full‑service carrier.

Connectivity and Loyalty Benefits

• XiamenAir. Reliable in‑flight Wi‑Fi is the biggest shortcoming on its Singapore routes; most flights offer no complimentary Wi‑Fi, and some aircraft have none at all, so arranging a local eSIM before travel is sensible. As a SkyTeam member, you can earn and redeem Egret Miles on eligible tickets and credit flights to other SkyTeam partners. 
• Singapore Airlines. Free unlimited in‑flight Wi‑Fi for KrisFlyer members is one of its most popular perks. Miles accrue to KrisFlyer and redeem across Star Alliance partners, and Business Class travellers plus Star Alliance Gold cardholders get access to the premium SilverKris lounges at Changi with quiet seating, premium refreshments and showers.
• Scoot. The airline sits under the Singapore Airlines group but outside Star Alliance. It earns only KrisFlyer miles under the group’s separate rules, base fares carry no lounge entitlement.

Pros and Cons of Each Carrier

XiamenAir

• Pros: a free checked bag and hot meals at a low fare; warm cabin crew; direct routes to Fujian and eastern China; SkyTeam miles on eligible flights.
• Cons: no reliable Wi-Fi; mixed aircraft, with the 737 lacking entertainment screens; service pacing varies; KrisFlyer miles cannot be earned.

Singapore Airlines

• Pros: consistent, premium service; free Wi-Fi for KrisFlyer members; a large entertainment library; the SilverKris lounge; frequent daily departures.
• Cons: the highest fares; miles accrue only within Star Alliance.

Scoot

• Pros: the lowest base fares; ideal if you travel with only a carry-on; a ScootPlus upgrade is available.
• Cons: no free meals or checked baggage; tighter seats; paid Wi-Fi; no seatback screens.

Who Should Pick Each Carrier?

When XiamenAir Is Your Best Choice

• You want the cheapest full-service option to southern and eastern China, especially Xiamen, Fuzhou or Hangzhou, with a free checked bag and hot meals for less than Singapore Airlines.
• You need to connect onward within Fujian province or to coastal eastern China through Xiamen's efficient hub.
• You collect SkyTeam miles and want to earn Egret Miles or credit your flight to a partner programme.

When Singapore Airlines Makes More Sense

• Your priority for business or special-occasion travel is service consistency, premium comfort and a large, reliable entertainment library.
• You value free in-flight Wi-Fi, effortless KrisFlyer earning and daily departure choices from Changi.
• You are willing to pay a premium for the industry's benchmark ground-to-air experience.

When Scoot Is the Right Call

• You are on a tight budget, travel with only a carry-on bag and are happy to skip meals.
• You are a student or backpacker who cares more about the lowest price than about full service.
• Consider ScootPlus if you want priority boarding, a checked bag and meals, without paying full-service prices.

Why Choose XiamenAir?

XiamenAir occupies an useful middle ground in the Singapore to China market. It is not a budget airline like Scoot, so XiamenAir gives you a checked bag, hot meals and a friendly cabin crew as standard.

XiamenAir is widely recognised as one of mainland China's full-service airlines, having been named Chinas Best Airline by Skytrax in 2019 and earning repeated APEX World Class and Five-Star International Airline awards.

If your destination is Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou or you want a full-service flight further into coastal and southern China without paying a premium, XiamenAir offers good price.