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Freshly steamed Shengzhou steamed buns are served in a bamboo basket at a local restaurant. [Photo/Tide News]

The flight GJ8585 took off from Hangzhou International Airport and landed in Harbin on May 20, marking the maiden journey of the "Shengzhou steamed buns" themed aircraft — a collaboration between Zhejiang Loong Airline and Shengzhou Commercial Development Group.

The plane features a custom blue livery emblazoned with large characters of steamed buns, alongside the logo and mascot of the beloved local delicacy. Inside the cabin, the theme continues with seat headrest covers, tray tables, and overhead bins decorated with slogans such as "A basket of dumplings, a taste of a city."

This marks the first time Shengzhou's signature steamed soup dumplings have been introduced into the in-flight and lounge catering service of a commercial airline. The partnership, announced in March, integrates traditional cuisine with modern aviation service, offering passengers a taste of Shengzhou while in the air.

To ensure authenticity, Loong Airline has worked closely with local producers to upgrade the dumplings' preparation and packaging standards. The product is delivered via cold chain logistics and served freshly steamed on board. Passengers can also enjoy the dumplings in the airline's VIP lounges and through its e-commerce platform.

According to the airline, the themed aircraft is expected to operate more than 750 flights annually, covering at least 65 cities and serving over 100,000 passengers during its deployment cycle.