Star Wars is Back: ANA Flies R2-D2 Jet

An old movie film is coming back - that notorious Star Wars, one of the most popular films in history. All Nippon Airways ANA had one of their jets painted in the image of R2-D2 for a sightseeing flight boarding Star War-clad fans October 17.

Some 90 Star Wars fans rallied at Haneda Airport each cosplaying Star Wars characters, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Stormtrooper and more and boarded a special sightseeing flight. The aircraft was decorated inside and out in the image of Star War, the interior fully made out to create a world of Star War. A fan commented to NHK after the flight that the interior is designed to give one an impression of being in the world of Star Wars. "The lights are all Star War-like, so are the seats. Such a fun being up there", he added.

ANA plans to fly the R2-D2 Jet on international routes for 5 years starting October 18.

Star Wars is a pop picture of a battle between good and evil over the galaxy. It came out in 1977 and six episodes followed since and now Walt Disney has produced its own version to release in December this year. Its creator George Lucas is said to have envisioned the story in the image of Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress.

The idea of decorating jets with popular images is popular here in Japan. ANA has done a series starting with Marine Jumbo in 1993, Snoopy for winters of 1996 and 1997. The recent hit was Pokemon Jet otherwise known as Pokemon Jumbo.

Aircraft can be a cool vehicle for image promotion. Back in February, the Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, instead of having a jet painted in his image, chartered a Boeing 787 for a flight to New York with his wife and a pet dog. Guess what it cost him - 50 million yen. Promotion, indeed.