Shanghai Airlines to Add Shanghainese Broadcasts on Inbound Flights

Shanghai Airlines has added broadcasts in Shanghai dialect on all its city-bound flights, expanding a trial that first covered four routes.

The airline confirmed the plan on Tuesday at an event marking its 40th anniversary. The carrier said the service aims to help passengers connect with Shanghai before landing.

Mao Shanyu, a well-known Shanghai Opera performer, voiced the message: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Shanghai, a city where East meets West."

Residents describe her voice as a standard Shanghai dialect accent.

Mao first recorded a broadcast in Shanghainese for the airline in 2017. She said Shanghainese is an important part of the city's culture and should be shared in modern ways.

The airline stated that it intended the broadcast for both visitors and residents. For local passengers, it offers a sense of home. For others, it serves as an introduction to Shanghai culture.

The announcement mentions landmarks such as the Bund and Lujiazui, as well as traditional lane houses and modern streets.

The Shanghainese broadcast was first used on four routes: Budapest-Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai, Hong Kong-Shanghai, and Changsha-Shanghai.

The airline will now use it on all inbound flights. Shanghai Airlines Vice President Qiu Di said the dialect broadcast will be used for the foreseeable future. He added that the airline will work with airports to add Shanghainese announcements at boarding gates. Hong Kong airport has already tried it out.

The airline is also adding Shanghai food on board. Some flights will serve local dishes such as pork-and-vegetable wontons, scallion-braised pork chops, and braised meatballs. Economy class meals will include salted pork with rice and local-style noodles.

Other upgrades include new tableware, amenity kits, and headrest covers using the airline's colors and symbols. The airline has also begun updating cabin crew uniforms. New service details, such as specialty tea and seasonal welcome flowers, have also been introduced.

Shanghai Airlines operates 88 aircraft and serves more than 80 cities worldwide. It carries over 15.5 million passengers a year.

International routes include cities in Europe, Southeast Asia, North Africa, Japan, and South Korea. In 2024, the airline launched the Shanghai-Marseille route, becoming the first Chinese carrier to serve that city directly.

Founded in 1985, Shanghai Airlines later merged with the China Eastern Airlines Group. The airline said it has maintained a clean flight safety record for 40 years.

Dialect broadcasts are not unique to Shanghai Airlines. Sichuan Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have tested local-language announcements, including Sichuan and Minnan dialects.