How to Fly on ANA's Star Wars Planes Right Now
When Star Wars Day, observed on May 4th, rolls around, fans of the epic space saga often seek out unique ways to celebrate, such as flying on an aircraft with a Star Wars livery. All Nippon Airways (ANA) offers a special experience for fans with its Star Wars-themed aircraft, which can be found on several international and domestic routes.
ANA Star Wars Routes
ANA's Star Wars aircraft are scheduled on a variety of international and domestic routes. However, the airline does not disclose specific routes for the planes in advance, meaning passengers can either book a flight and hope for a lucky pairing or try to secure a ticket once the plane's deployment is confirmed. Both of ANA's Star Wars aircraft primarily operate out of Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) and Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT).
One of ANA's Star Wars jets is a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, registered as JA873A, featuring a livery of the iconic droid 'R2-D2.' For the summer season, this plane will operate on 13 international routes. The other Star Wars jet, based on C-3PO, is a Boeing 777-200, registered as JA743A, which primarily operates on domestic flights to and from Haneda.
Getting on a Star Wars Jet
For travelers looking to experience one of these themed aircraft, booking a flight in advance and hoping to get lucky or staying alert for last-minute deployment announcements are the best strategies. The C-3PO jet is particularly tricky to pin down, as it serves over 35 domestic destinations from Haneda, with routes changing frequently.
Other Star Wars Jets
Previously, ANA operated a third Star Wars jet featuring BB-8, but this livery was removed after its final flight on March 31st, 2022. For Star Wars fans in the United States, Alaska Airlines offers a Star Wars-themed jet, a Boeing 737-800 registered as N538AS, which typically operates on the airline's domestic network and provides a couple of days' notice for its next flights.