The Airplane You're Looking For: R2-D2 Jet Takes to the Air
by EG
This week, All Nippon Airways revealed the biggest Star Wars toy imaginable: a Boeing 787 Dreamliner painted to resemble the best and sassiest droid in the universe, R2-D2.
The new R2-D2 plane is one of three Star Wars-themed planes ANA will fly as part of a five-year marketing deal with Disney. The other two planes include one decorated to look like the second-best and sassiest droid in the universe, BB-8, and one that features BB-8 on one side and R2-D2 on the other.
The R2-D2 plane will make its maiden voyage between Japan and Vancouver on October 18, and through the end of November, it will fly between Japan and San Jose. After that, the plane will fly various world-wide routes. The BB-8 plane will fly routes between Japan and North America beginning in 2016, while the dual-droid plane will remain in Japan.
The planes are also contributing to the marketing blitz ahead of the release of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens by featuring the first six Star Wars films as in-flight entertainment.
R2-D2 was on hand at the unveiling ceremony for his plane in Seattle. Also in attendance was his long-time companion C3-PO. C3-PO remained supportive of his partner despite the fact that there are no plans for a C3-PO-themed plane.