San You

Basic Profile

San You (Chinese: 三优, studbook number 1078), nicknamed “Zhen Xi” (珍喜) as a cub, is a female giant panda born on July 15, 2017 at the Chengdu Research Base’s Moon Nursery (月亮产房). She weighed 168 grams at birth.

Her mother is Qi Zhen (奇珍, studbook 490) — the panda whose own name means “Seven Stitches,” commemorating the emergency surgery she needed as a newborn when her mother Mei Mei accidentally injured her. San You was Qi Zhen’s sixth litter, a testament to her mother’s experience and excellent maternal instincts. Her maternal grandmother is Mei Mei (梅梅), the heroic mother of Adventure World’s Hama Family in Japan.

A Gentle Soul

San You is described by her keepers as gentle, well-mannered, and easygoing (性情温和，不争不抢). Unlike some pandas who jostle for the best bamboo or compete for attention, San You waits her turn. She has a calm,乖巧 (well-behaved) appearance that makes her instantly likable.

This placid temperament made her a perfect fit for her future role as a brand ambassador.

The Sichuan Airlines Connection

Adoption and Naming

On July 6, 2018, Sichuan Airlines (四川航空) announced the lifelong adoption of this young panda. They named her “三优” (San You) — a name that directly references the airline’s IATA code 3U, while also conveying excellence (“三优” can mean “three excellences”). The name is a clever branding choice: every time someone sees the airline’s code, they remember the panda, and vice versa.

”Panda Route” Ambassador

San You was appointed the official mascot of Sichuan Airlines’ “Panda Route” (熊猫之路) program — a series of international routes designed to promote Sichuan’s cultural tourism, with the giant panda as its centerpiece. Her image appears in promotional materials across the airline’s network, from Chengdu to Los Angeles, Tokyo, and beyond.

Flying High: The A350 Livery

Sichuan Airlines’ first Airbus A350 aircraft features a striking custom panda livery designed after San You’s likeness. The giant panda face painted on the fuselage has become one of the most recognizable aircraft designs in Chinese aviation. Inside the cabin, passengers are greeted with photos of San You, and flight attendants wear panda-themed accessories — from brooches to scarves — as part of the “Panda Route” cultural experience.

Fan Favorite

Fans have nicknamed her “Sichuan Airlines Miss” (川航大小姐) — a playful title that matches both her gentle personality and her glamorous role as an aviation brand icon. On her birthdays, Sichuan Airlines organizes fan groups to visit her at the Chengdu Base, and the airline regularly shares updates about her life to maintain the connection between passengers and their furry mascot.

Current Status

San You lives at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, receiving regular care from her keepers while serving as Sichuan Airlines’ beloved ambassador. Her unique role as an airline mascot — with her face flying across the world on an A350 — makes her one of the most visible pandas in modern Chinese branding.