Xiamen Airlines Partners with Hong Kong Michelin-Starred Chef to Bring Signature Dishes to All Cabin Classes

Xiamen Airlines has announced a collaboration with Neighborhood, a Michelin one-star restaurant in Hong Kong, and its owner and head chef David Lai, bringing exceptional culinary experiences to 30,000 feet. As part of the partnership, “David’s Chicken Rice” will be available to passengers in all cabin classes. Travelers departing from cities including Xiamen and Fuzhou can pre-order this signature dish through the airline’s in-flight meal selection service up to six hours before departure time. Additionally, the latest season of the “A Starred Journey” high-end catering service for first class—co-created by Chef David Lai and the Xiamen Airlines culinary team—will be offered exclusively to first-class passengers on flights from Xiamen and Fuzhou to both domestic and international destinations. Together, they are crafting a rich and layered culinary experience in the skies.

A Pioneer of Hong Kong Cuisine with an Unconventional Philosophy

Chef David Lai is widely recognized for his distinctive and unconventional cooking style. His restaurant, Neighborhood, has consistently held a Michelin star and has been featured multiple times among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. Known for its limited reservations, it is a highly sought-after bistro among gourmands. Last year, Chef Lai also won the affection of younger audiences through his appearance on a popular variety show, earning him the nickname “the Tipsy Chef” for his relaxed and charismatic presence. The Chef XiamenAir culinary team collaborated closely with Chef Lai to integrate music and gastronomy, creating a star-quality dining experience at cruising altitude.

Sixth Season of “A Starred Journey”: Culinary Movements Inspired by a Symphony

Entering its sixth season, “A Starred Journey” high-end catering service for first class is themed “Symphony No. 6: Resonance”, inspired by the structure of a classical symphony. The menu guides passengers’ palates through a series of culinary movements, each evoking a distinct sensory experience. The opening “Sonata” presents a relaxed “picnic in the sky” with Wagyu sandwiches elegantly arranged in a picnic basket. The “Adagio” movement features a rich and aromatic Bouillabaisse. The pre-main course “Minuet” showcases a warm truffle salad made with ingredients freshly harvested that day from Xiamen Airlines’ organic farm. The grand “Finale” is Chef Lai’s celebrated “David’s Chicken Rice”, a signature dish that draws diners to Neighborhood and is now authentically recreated in the clouds. Starting February 15, 2026, first-class passengers flying from Xiamen and Fuzhou to domestic and international destinations can enjoy the latest season of “A Starred Journey”.

Michelin-Level Dining for All Cabin Classes

Xiamen Airlines’ in-flight meals service allows all passengers to pre-order meals before their flights, making it the first Chinese carrier to offer in-flight meal selection service for all cabin classes. The service is highly popular due to its wide variety, extensive route coverage, and convenient booking. Through this platform, Chef Lai’s signature “David’s Chicken Rice” is now available to passengers across all cabin classes, marking another milestone in Xiamen Airlines’ effort to bring Michelin-level dining to every passenger and redefine in-flight dining as a highlight of the journey.

From farm to sky, and from kitchen to heart, the Chef XiamenAir continues to explore the limitless possibilities of food culture. This collaboration with Chef David Lai, using the symphony as a metaphor, once again expands the imaginative boundaries of high-altitude dining. Looking ahead, Xiamen Airlines will continue engaging with the global culinary community, ensuring that every flight becomes a multisensory culinary journey.