Back in July 2016 at the Star Wars Celebration in London, ANA unveiled the design for the newest addition to it’s Star Wars-themed livery jets: C-3PO. Using a 1:20 scale model, ANA gave Star Wars fans a glimpse at the soon-to-be airborne golden rod. Well, fast forward to March 21 of 2017 and ANA just sent their fourth Star Wars jet on it’s inaugural flight. At 9:05am, some very lucky passengers found themselves on flight NH621 flying from Tokyo to Kagoshima in a giant protocol droid.
Using a Boeing 777-200, they wrapped it with a beautiful golden hue that any Star Wars fan will be able to spot from the ground. Overlaying the gold are several power coupler outlets (which StarWars.com explains) and that iconic and colorful circuitry wiring. Here’s what Hiro Miyagawa, ANA’s Star Wars project leader, says about the design:
"When we first designed the R2-D2 ANA jet, we came up with the concept that when you look from right above the plane, you are looking at Artoo as if he were lying on the ground, face up. We applied the same concept to the BB-8 ANA jet, and to the C-3PO ANA jet, as well."
ANA, the largest airline in Japan, had officially unveiled it’s new golden jewel a few days before in Tokyo. At the unveiling they had none other than C-3PO himself there, Anthony Daniels, who signed the plane next to the front entry door (how that will stay intact through hyperspace no one knows). You can see several photos with Anthony Daniels next to, inside of and sitting in the plane. Great stuff.
Now, if you’re like us, you’re into exclusives. Well, fortunately for anyone commandeering this plane, you’ll get a few. First are the cool cups and headrest covers which are, you guessed it, C-3PO themed. Next are the themed aprons for all the flight attendants which is a super rad detail. And finally, for those lucky enough to fly on the jet from now until April 2nd, they’ll receive an exclusive boarding certificate. You can check the flight schedule for more details.
ANA, job well done. Next plane theme: Darth Maul, am I right?
