This paper focuses on the combustion characteristics of blended coals with bituminous and sub-bituminous coals under air and oxy-fuel combustion conditions. The effects of oxygen concentration and blending ratio on the combustion characteristics were experimentally investigated using a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). Characteristic temperatures including ignition, burnout temperature and activation energy were determined from TG and DTG combustion profiles. As oxygen concentration increased and the presence of sub-bituminous coal, characteristic temperatures and activation energy decreased. The ignitability, reactivity and kinetics have all been greatly improved under oxy-fuel combustion conditions. Based on this, co-firing with bituminous and sub-bituminous coals under oxy-fuel combustion conditions may be suggested as an alternative method to the fuel flexibility and cost-effective power production with carbon capture and sequestration.