Japan’s Nipon Airways Delivers R2-D2 Jet to San Jose

All Nipon Airways’ (ANA) Star Wars-themed Boeing 787–9 Dreamliner arrived this week from Tokyo to San Jose with a full load of happy and enthusiastic passengers, including a toy R2-D2. This is a debut flight for Japan’s largest airline and Boeing as they unveil the first aircraft in the world decorated with Star Wars livery. Decked out in Star Wars out-of-this-world imagery, the flight is part of a five-year promotional partnership between ANA and the Walt Disney Company, which holds the rights for the Star Wars franchise.

The R2-D2 motif is imprinted onto the cockpit and front half of the jet’s main fuselage, while the Star Wars logo spans the length behind the wings.

The plane, painted in the likeness of Star Wars on the outside, continues the movie’s theme inside the 215-seat passenger plane, with themed paper napkins, cups, and headrest covers.

To make the overseas journey more enjoyable, passengers can view all six of the currently released Star Wars films as part of ANA’s extensive and exclusive in-flight entertainment options. And they were never lost in translation. U.S. enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the December 18 premiere of the newest movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which I hope will be added to the future in-flight repertoire.

‘’The time has come to bring the ANA Star Wars project to life and we hope Star Wars fans across the world will be as excited about our R2-D2 ANA Jet as we are,’’ said Hideki Kunugi, Senior Vice President of the Americas for ANA, in the company’s press release. ‘’At ANA we’re always looking for ways to improve the flying experience for our passengers, and what better way to start your trip than on a one-of-a-kind Star Wars plane?’’
Mr. Takashi Nakai, Vice President and General Manager of the San Francisco/San Jose office of All Nippon Airways, greeted the arrival of this colorful plane and its passengers to Mineta San Jose International Airport. ANA’s R2-D2 aircraft makes San Jose its principal destination from now through the end of November, moving to Seattle in early December.

Two additional planes decorated with BB‑8, a brand new character from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and R2-D2 will take to the skies following the R2-D2 ANA Jet. For the planes’ schedules visit www.ana-sw.com.

Lina Broydo immigrated from Russia, then the Soviet Union, to Israel where she was educated and got married. After working at the University in Birmingham, England she and her husband immigrated to the United States. She lives in Los Altos Hills, CA and writes about travel, art, style, entertainment, and sports. She hardly cooks or bakes, with no borsch or piroshky on her home cooking menu. Therefore, she makes reservations and enjoys dining out, mostly sushi.

By Lina Broydo