Mainland China’s Xiamen Airlines celebrated its inaugural flight to Vancouver yesterday (July 25), marking the start of a new year-round, nonstop Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service that will operate three times a week between YVR and Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN).

The wide-body aircraft features four first-class, 18 business class, and 215 economy class seats. Flight MF806 will depart Vancouver at 1:40 a.m. and arrive in Xiamen at 5:30 a.m. local time the following day. Westbound flight MF805 will depart Xiamen at 9:30 p.m. and arrive in Vancouver at 6:40 p.m.

The new route to Xiamen will also offer visitors a 72-hour visa-free stopover program, for those who may want to explore the official sister city of the City of Richmond.

Xiamen Airlines has been in operation for 32 years, and has been named the best airline in Mainland China for the past three years. It is the fifth airline from the densely populated country to join YVR.