Return of the jet-i: ANA withdraws its Star Wars special livery Boeing 787
August 7, 2025
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has retired its distinctive Star Wars R2-D2-themed Boeing 787-9, marking the beginning of the end of a high-profile collaboration between the Japanese carrier and the Star Wars franchise.
The aircraft, dubbed the R2-D2 ANA JET and featuring a full-body livery inspired by the astromech droid, completed its final round-trip service between Tokyo Haneda and Washington Dulles on 6 August.
Introduced in 2015 as part of ANA’s Star Wars Project, the R2-D2 jet quickly became a favourite among both aviation enthusiasts and fans of the film series.
“The R2-D2 ANA JET’s incredible journey is coming to a close. We’re so incredibly grateful for the joy that the R2-D2 ANA JET has brought to so many ANA Star Wars fans,” the airline said in a statement.
The farewell flights were operated as NH102 from Tokyo Haneda to Washington Dulles and NH101 on the return leg.
The aircraft, registered with MSN 34530, flew its first flight with the paint scheme on 18 October 2015, as NH116 between Tokyo and Vancouver.
“We’re thrilled to unveil the designs of our new Star Wars-themed planes, and I’m sure fans across the world will love the look,” said the then-CEO Osamu Shinobe at the time of the launch in 2015.
ANA says goodbye to its Star Wars special livery programme
The custom-painted Dreamliner was the first in a series of specially themed aircraft created through ANA’s partnership with The Walt Disney Company.
BB-8, a new character from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was displayed on the livery of the BB-8 ANA Jet, a Boeing 777-300ER. Another 777 featured C-3PO.
ANA also had the Star Wars ANA Jet, which showcased both BB-8 and R2-D2 on the outside of a Boeing 767-300.
In 2022, ANA announced it would be retiring the Boeing 777-381ER with the BB-8 livery.
ANA has said the final aircraft, featuring C-3PO, will be withdrawn by the first week of January 2026. Special in-flight announcements, headrest covers, cabin crew aprons and paper cups are planned for the event.
“Thank you for your support over the years, we are grateful for the joy our ANA STAR WARS JETS has brought many across the galaxy,” the carrier said in a statement.
ANA’s special liveries with a Pokémon partnership
It is not the first time that ANA has partnered with a popular cultural icon.
Last year, ANA announced a collaboration with the Pokémon Company to create the world’s first in-flight safety video featuring the Japanese cartoon characters, which is played aboard the airline’s two specially painted aircraft.
The partnership builds on the ANA Group’s launch of ‘Pokémon Air Adventures’ in March 2023, featuring two specially painted aircraft, Boeing 787-9 ‘Pikachu Jet NH’ and 777-300ER ‘Eevee Jet NH’.
“The partnership with the Pokémon company brings together two iconic brands to create a unique in-flight safety experience that seamlessly bridges generations, offering both fun and educational information,” said Motokai Ueno, executive vice president, customer experience management and planning at ANA.
“This innovative approach allows us to elevate the flight experience by combining essential safety information with engaging entertainment”.
During the video, animated characters are seen sitting alongside human passengers, blocking the aisle with dropped items, manipulating life vests, and looking disapprovingly at a passenger’s vaping device.
The Pikachu character is also seen fastening a seatbelt, receiving an infant life vest and leading the crowd moving away from the aircraft after evacuation.
