During the first week of the Spring Festival travel rush (February 2-8), Tongcheng Travel's "First Flight Support" service, in collaboration with more than 40 airports nationwide, provided exclusive assistance to over 20,000 first-time air travelers, helping them return home smoothly for the Lunar New Year. With the peak pre-holiday travel period approaching, Tongcheng Travel anticipates that the daily average number of passengers served by the "First Flight Support" program could exceed 6,000 in the coming week, with the total number of passengers assisted during the two weeks before the holiday expected to surpass 50,000.

First-time flyers often have concerns about various procedures, such as where to check in, how to handle luggage, and where to wait for their flight. The large crowds during the Spring Festival travel peak can further heighten anxiety for these passengers. To address the needs of first-time flyers, Tongcheng Travel's "First Flight Support" service has been meticulously designed to cover every step from booking a ticket to boarding, providing an added layer of reassurance for those traveling by air for the first time during the holiday season.

Jiang Ning, head of airport operations for Tongcheng Travel's travel business group, stated that after nearly a year of refinement, the "First Flight Support" service has become increasingly comprehensive across various scenarios from ticket booking to the flight experience. The service set a new daily record during the first week of the Spring Festival travel rush, assisting over 20,000 first-time passengers in returning home for the New Year. This achievement was made possible through the active support of more than 40 partner airports. Moving forward, Tongcheng Travel will continue to optimize first-time flyer services with its airport partners in preparation for the pre-holiday and return travel peaks.

The "First Flight Support" service was officially launched in March 2025, offering exclusive benefits for first-time flyers, including special ticket discounts for new customers and dedicated offline services at partner airports. By February 2026, the program had expanded to include more than 40 airports, covering major hubs such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Qingdao, and Haikou, as well as medium-sized airports like Xishuangbanna, Lijiang, Yinchuan, Xuzhou, Taizhou, Datong, and Fuyang. This has established an initial nationwide network for first-time flyer services.

During the Spring Festival period, first-time travelers can scan a QR code on Tongcheng Travel's relevant activity page to receive an 88-yuan domestic air ticket coupon package (containing four coupons). They can also participate in festive activities such as "New Year's First Sign-In" and "Group Flight with Friends." After completing a ticket booking, users can check the "First Flight Support" services available at their departure airport online, pre-book assistance via phone, and on the day of travel, proceed directly to the "First Flight Support" counter in the departure hall to collect a "First Flight" sticker and a guide with tips for first-time flyers. They will also receive boarding guidance from on-site staff.

Through close cooperation with airport partners, the "First Flight Support" program offers services including complimentary lounge access, priority check-in, expedited security checks, priority boarding, dedicated waiting areas, and personalized guidance. Service offerings may vary slightly by airport. During the Spring Festival travel rush, some airports provide additional tailored services for specific groups, such as "dialect companionship" for elderly first-time travelers, and assistance with luggage handling for those with heavy baggage.

It is projected that air passenger volume during this year's Spring Festival travel period will reach a record 95 million, with a daily average of approximately 2.38 million travelers. Alongside the overall increase in passenger traffic, the number of first-time flyers is also growing rapidly. According to Tongcheng Travel's Spring Festival travel forecast, the platform expects a more than 30% increase in users flying for the first time this year, leading to expanded demand for first-time flyer services at major airports.

Jiang Ning expressed confidence that the "First Flight Support" service will deliver excellent results during the Spring Festival travel rush, emphasizing the commitment to working with over 40 partner airports across China to enhance service details and provide first-time flyers with a superior travel experience.