a sign on a wall

The Xiamen Airlines “First Class” Lounge (also used by business class and SkyTeam ElitePlus passengers) is a respectable lounge in Xiamen, with one aggravating feature.

Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge Review (XMN)

After stepping off our flight from Jakarta, we had a couple of hours before our connection to Taipei. After completing transit formalities, we found the lounge.

Access + Location + Hours

Located between  Gates 12 and 15, Departure Hall of Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, look for the “First Class Lounge No. 6” sign. If you’re on the upper level, you’ll take an elevator down to the lounge (there’s also a lower gate area with a direct entrance to the lounge).

an elevator with a sign on the wall

While there are no set hours, the lounge opens from the departure of the first international flight operated by Xiamen Airlines until the departure of the last flight.

Access is reserved for Xiamen Airlines and SkyTeam business and first class passengers, as well as SkyTeam ElitePlus members traveling internationally (and one guest).

Seating

Seating included dozens of wing chairs flanked by end tables, a handful of couches, and a dining area with tables and chairs.

a lobby with chairs and a table

a room with brown leather chairs and tables

a room with brown chairs and a window

a room with a large wall and a large window

a row of chairs in a room

a couch with pillows in front of a wall
I loved the stitched Xiamen Airlines pillows!

F00d + Drink

While the one thing I wanted I could not find (scrambled or fried eggs), there was a wide selection of food, including dumplings, noodles (made to order), cooked vegetables, congee, bacon, sausage, sandwiches, yogurt, and fruit. Not bad, right?

a room with a table and chairs and a computer

food in a restaurant with a variety of dishes

a group of pots with food in them

a pan of noodles and a pot of liquid on a stove

a bowl of food in a bowl

a tray of food on a counter

a group of bowls of food on a counter

a table with plates of food and utensils

a counter with food and drinks on it

Coffee, tea, a weak selection of wine, soft drinks, and water were available (self-serve).

a refrigerator with drinks and cans

The Aggravating Feature: Internet

The internet is such an annoyance in Mainland China…with the “great firewall” meant to allow the communist government strict control over the control of information. This lounge was no different…you need a local Chinese number or to scan your passport in order to get an access code…yes, Big Brother is watching.

a sign on a table

Bathrooms + Showers

Unless I missed it (I don’t think so), the lounge not only had no showers but no bathrooms.

CONCLUSION

I appreciated the comfortable place to wait for our connecting flight and thought the food section was quite respectable. The internet is so annoying in China, but I can hardly blame the lounge for that…

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