China’s pioneering ‘flying hospital,’ a collaborative initiative between the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, has achieved a significant milestone. Equipped with a newly upgraded Class 1 clean operating room, the aircraft is now capable of performing both ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology surgeries. This advancement marks a critical step in China’s efforts to establish a high-level aviation medical system and enhance precision healthcare delivery via air platforms. The project, which began with a focus on ophthalmology, has now expanded to include ENT services, setting a global precedent in aviation medicine. The flying hospital, operating from a domestically manufactured aircraft, completed its first mission on September 5, transporting over 30 medical professionals from Shanghai to Shihezi in Xinjiang. During this mission, the aircraft provided advanced diagnostic services to nearly 50 patients, leveraging 5G technology for remote consultations with specialists in Shanghai. The addition of the operating room aligns with directives from the National Health Commission to improve cataract surgery capabilities in rural areas and accelerate in-flight surgical development. The operating room features customized domestic equipment and a bolt-free design, enabling rapid installation within eight hours. Innovations such as a variable wind speed laminar flow module have overcome technical challenges, making it possible to integrate surgical functions into the aircraft cabin. The hospital plans to begin with cataract surgeries, addressing high demand in underserved regions, and expand to common ENT procedures like nasal polyp and sinusitis operations. This initiative not only improves access to quality healthcare in remote areas but also strengthens China’s emergency medical response capabilities.