# Alibaba Group Holding has struck its first external partnership for its flagship consumer artificial intelligence app.

*genai · news · 2026-04-23 · South China Morning Post*

## Key points

- Alibaba's Qwen AI app is now integrated with China Eastern Airlines for full-flight booking services.
- This is Qwen's first external partnership, expanding its agentic features beyond Alibaba's own ecosystem.
- Qwen will soon support airline loyalty services and add more travel industry partnerships.
- Alibaba has already invested over 120 billion yuan in AI and cloud over four recent quarters.

**Companies:** Alibaba Group Holding, China Eastern Airlines
**Countries:** China

[Read the full story on South China Morning Post](https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3351076/alibaba-opens-qwen-app-outside-partners-china-eastern-airlines-tie)

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