ANA, Japan’s biggest airline, rolled out three specially painted airplanes in honor of Star Wars. The first, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted as R2-D2, will enter service on the airline’s Tokyo-Vancouver route on October 18, but will then be used on various flights including trips to San Francisco, San Jose, Europe, Australia, China, and Indonesia.
The interior of the plane will also feature a Star Wars theme, including R2 seat covers and cups. All six Star Wars movies will be available for in-flight viewing (although, of course, we hope only three will actually be watched), marking the first time the movies have been available on any in-flight entertainment system.
The jet was unveiled at a ceremony at Boeing’s Everette, Washington, facility in a ceremony attended by officials of ANA and Boeing, along with R2, 3PO, and Stormtroopers.
In November, a 767-300 decorated as BB-8 from the upcoming The Force Awakens will begin domestic flights within Japan, and then next March a 777-300ER painted with R2 on one side and BB-8 on the other will enter international service.
This is the first time Star Wars characters have appeared on the exterior of commercial airplanes.
Another unnecessary jab at the prequels. *sigh*