ANA’s new Chiikawa Jet takes off on first passenger flight in Japan

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched its new Chiikawa-themed Boeing 767 into passenger service, with the specially-painted aircraft making its first flight from Tokyo Haneda to Nagasaki today (19 October).

The Boeing 767-300ER, registered as JA609A, left Haneda Airport at 8.26am local time with 270 passengers on board.

Operating as Flight NH661, the aircraft was fully booked for its first service, with fans gathering at the airport to see the colourful jet make its debut.

The special livery features eight characters from Chiikawa, the popular Japanese manga and anime franchise created by illustrator Nagano.

✈️ The Chiikawa JET takes to the skies tomorrow! ✨ We unveiled the Chiikawa JET for the first time at ANA’s hangar at Haneda Airport! Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi also joined us for the special occasion! 🍀 The aircraft features eight beloved characters, including Chiikawa, across its fuselage! ☁️✨ The CHIIKAWA fun continues onboard, with special headrest covers and paper cups featuring the characters, ready to welcome you on your journey! ✈️ The Chiikawa JET inaugural flight is scheduled for Monday, October 19, operating as NH661 from Tokyo (Haneda) to Nagasaki. 💙 After that, the Chiikawa JET will fly on various ANA domestic routes across Japan. ✈️ Ready to take to the skies with Chiikawa and friends? ☁️✈️

— All Nippon Airways (@FlyANA_official) October 18, 2026

What is the special Chiikawa livery?

Characters featuring on the aircraft include Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi, along with other characters from the series.

The design also brings in seasonal images including four-leaf clovers, flowers and snowflakes.

The artwork covers both sides of the fuselage with different characters featured.

And it’s not just the outside of the aircraft that is themed. Inside, the cabin has specially designed headrest covers. There is also a limited-edition range of merchandise for passengers to buy.

ANA said the collaboration is intended to create “vibrant travel experiences and memories” for passengers, extending the Chiikawa theme beyond the aircraft exterior and into the onboard experience.

As well as the special headrest covers, passengers will also be served drinks in exclusive Chiikawa-themed paper cups featuring the franchise’s most popular characters. Future collaboration merchandise will also feature the characters wearing ANA uniforms.

Where will ANA’s Chiikawa jet fly?

The aircraft won’t just fly to a single destination. Instead, it is scheduled to fly on a range of domestic routes.

From 25 October, ANA says the aircraft will follow its winter schedule, and fly to destinations including Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa, and Matsuyama.

What is Chiikawa?

Chiikawa, whose name roughly translates as “something small and cute” began as a manga series before gaining huge popularity and growing into animation and merchandise.

The new Boeing 767 will remain part of ANA’s scheduled domestic operations, giving passengers across Japan the chance to fly on the specially painted aircraft.

On its website, ANA explains the collaboration, writing:

“Chiikawa and friends overcome challenges together, each with their own unique personality. ANA, too, faces many challenges every day, working together as a team while continuing to soar through the skies.

“As these two worlds came together, the collaboration between Chiikawa and ANA was born.”

ANA’s history of special liveries

The Chiikawa aircraft joins a long line of special liveries operated by ANA.

The airline currently operates several Pokémon-themed aircraft as part of The Pokémon Company’s Air Adventures project, including Boeing 787 Dreamliners painted in colourful liveries featuring characters including Pikachu and Eevee.

ANA’s current Pokémon fleet includes the Pikachu Jet NH and Eevee Jet NH, both of which operate on domestic and international routes and have become major attractions for aviation enthusiasts and Pokémon fans alike.

The airline has also flown Star Wars-themed aircraft in partnership with Lucasfilm, including the R2-D2 ANA Jet, BB-8 ANA Jet and Star Wars ANA Jet.