R2-D2 and BB-8 will soon take to the skies as Japan's All Nippon Airways announced two more of planes in its Boeing fleet will be decorated with "Star Wars" livery to promote the upcoming film.
According to Bloomberg, ANA "will start flying a Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner painted with the image [of R2-D2] on its Tokyo-Vancouver route from October, ahead of the release of the latest Star Wars' movie later this year."
But the "Star Wars" theme isn't limited to the plane's exterior. In a statement, ANA said they "will also display in-flight decorations, such as headrest covers, paper napkins and cups" featuring characters from the franchise.
The promotion is part of a five-year deal Japan's largest airline signed with Walt Disney which includes showing all six "Star Wars" films which have been released to be shown in the airline's in-flight entertainment system.
Back in April, All Nippon Airways announced its first "Star Wars" themed jet, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner sporting an R2-D2 livery.
"The unit of ANA Holdings Inc. also will paint another 'Star Wars' character, BB-8, on a 777 serving North America from March, and decorate a third with the franchise's name to fly domestic routes from November," Bloomberg reported.
Check out renders of all three in the video below:
#STARWARS new jets' painting will be in the fleet & find the schedule of R2-D2TM ANA JET here ⇒https://t.co/Xf5eRBhazR https://t.co/MMnt2W22vT
— All Nippon Airways (@FlyANA_official) August 18, 2015
"We look forward to providing our passengers with an engaging in-flight experience as they travel our planet," ANA President and CEO Osamu Shinobe said in the statement.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" won't hit theaters until December but The Wall Street Journal reported that Japanese fans "have been already treated to an array of promotions."
"Characters from the franchise have appeared in Japan this year as a giant float at a traditional festival as well as in the form of rice paddy art."
For everyone else outside the land of the rising sun, All Nippon Airways' "Star Wars" themed Boeing passenger jets should be a welcome sight.
