Sichuan Airlines, in partnership with China Media Group (CMG), launched Thursday a special themed flight connecting Chengdu and Urumqi, offering passengers an immersive cinematic experience at 30,000 feet during the May Day holiday travel rush.
The inaugural service, branded as "Travel with Movies", transformed the aircraft cabin into a mobile film festival. Passengers were greeted with themed decorations featuring promotional posters and artistic silhouettes of iconic movie filming locations displayed on overhead compartments. Cabin crew members, equipped with customized photo props, assisted travelers in capturing memories against the cinematic backdrop.
Throughout the flight, passengers received commemorative cards and movie-inspired pastries. In-flight announcements highlighted cultural stories behind filming locations along the route, while introducing attractions and local customs in both Chengdu and Urumqi -- cities renowned for their rich heritage and stunning landscapes.
The initiative aims to merge entertainment with tourism, creating what organizers describe as an "in-flight cultural tourism corridor" between western China's key hubs.
"We hope to leverage this unique themed flight as an aerial platform to establish an 'in-flight cultural tourism corridor' connecting Chengdu and Urumqi, linking high-quality film-and-travel resources from both cities. At the same time, we aim to use this flight as an opportunity to enrich passengers' travel experiences -- transforming 'air travel' into a full-fledged 'in-flight cultural tourism experience'," said Su Yifei, a flight attendant.
The timing coincides with one of China's busiest travel periods, as millions of domestic tourists take to the skies during the five-day holiday from May 1 to 5.
Early feedback suggests the concept resonates with families and film enthusiasts.
"Both my child and I really enjoy watching movies. When we saw this flight, we felt incredibly lucky -- because the cabin is filled with so many cinematic elements. It also gave us a great chance to learn in advance about some of the films we might watch during the May Day holiday," said a passenger.
CMG, Sichuan Airlines launch movie-themed flight for May Day holiday
