Pokémon aircraft
A number of commercial aircraft have flown with Pokémon-themed liveries throughout the years.
From 1998 to 2016, and again since 2023, All Nippon Airways had various Boeing 747, Boeing 767, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 airliners decorated with Pokémon paint schemes as part of a series called Pokémon Jet.[1] The majority of Pokémon featured on each plane were from the generation that was the newest at the time of its introduction. Progressively, more Pokémon aircraft were added throughout the years. The last aircraft was added in 2011 - a Boeing 777 titled the "Peace Jet", and the first to feature Generation V Pokémon, such as Reshiram. The final aircraft was re-liveried back to ANA's standard livery in 2016.
On June 21, 2021, The Pokémon Company revived the trend with Pokémon Air Adventures (Japanese: そらとぶピカチュウプロジェクト Flying Pikachu Project), an initiative to support the airline industry after the near total shutdown of air travel in Japan caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] Skymark Airlines was the first airline to join the scheme and launched the first Pikachu Jet, a Boeing 737 decorated with several flying Pikachu.[3] The program would later extend to Taiwan (China Airlines), Singapore (Scoot Airlines), South Korea (T'way Airlines), and Indonesia (Garuda Indonesia).
Original ANA aircraft
ANA Pokémon Jet 1998
During the winter of 1992, ANA held a contest to design one of its jets. The winner was a sixth-grade girl named Yuki Ogaki, who submitted a whale-themed design later titled the Marine Jumbo. Due to interest in this uncommon paint job, ANA painted another Boeing 747-400D with a Snoopy design in 1996. In 1998, this aircraft was repainted again, and this time, it was a Pokémon design. This design was also popular, and led to ANA creating several more planes with Pokémon designs. This plane's aircraft registration number is JA8965.
Featured Pokémon:
Two additional jets - both Boeing 767-300s - were painted later in 1998 with the same design. Their registration numbers were JA8569 and JA8578.
This set of livery was retired in 2001. JA8965 retired in June 2013, JA8578 in August 2017, and JA8569 in December 2018.
ANA Pokémon Jet International
The ANA Pokémon Jet International debuted in 1999, carrying passengers from Tokyo to New York City. As its name suggests, its primary use continued to be international flights. This plane's registration is JA8962.
Featured Pokémon is the same as the three planes stated above:
This plane was one of the only original ANA Pokémon jets to have the ANA logo on the tail instead of a picture of Pikachu.
The livery was retired in 2006 and the aircraft retired in 2010.
ANA Pokémon Jet 1999
The ANA Pokémon Jet 1999 debuted in 1999, making its first flight was from Osaka to Tokyo. This aircraft is used for domestic flights only, and its registration number is JA8964.
Featured Pokémon:
Later, two additional aircraft, both Boeing 767s, were painted in the same livery, registration numbers JA8288 and JA8357.
This set of livery was retired in 2006. JA8964 retired in 2011.
ANA Pikachu Jumbo
The ANA Pikachu Jumbo, colored in a distinctive yellow, flew for the first time in May 2004 between the same airports as the ANA Pokémon Jet 1999, Osaka and Tokyo. At the airport in Okinawa, a towing car was painted yellow to go along with the jet. This plane's registration is JA8957.
Featured Pokémon:
- Celebi
- Deoxys
- Entei
- Jirachi
- Latias
- Latios
- Lugia
- Minun
- Mew
- Mewtwo
- Mudkip
- Plusle
- Pichu
- Pikachu ×4
- Torchic
- Treecko
The livery was retired on October 8, 2013 along with Ohana Jumbo (JA8956) as both jumbos retired from service, ending Boeing 747's decade-long title as series flagship.
ANA Ohana Jumbo
The ANA Ohana Jumbo took to the skies for the first time in 2004. "Ohana" means "flower" in Japanese, which is the theme of this plane. Flowers are painted around the bottom of the plane, and some Grass Pokémon can be seen on it. This aircraft features the Pichu Brothers. Its registration is JA8956.
Featured Pokémon:
- Azurill
- Bellossom
- Castform
- Igglybuff
- Mew
- Minun
- Munchlax
- Oddish
- Pichu ×2
- Pikachu ×4
- Plusle
- Roselia
- Torchic
- Wynaut
The livery was retired on October 8, 2013 along with Pikachu Jumbo (JA8957) as both jumbos retired from service, ending Boeing 747's decade-long title as series flagship.
Peace Jet
A new member of the Pokémon Jets was added in 2011, when a Boeing 777 was re-painted in Pokémon colors. ANA had originally allowed children to vote on the livery of the jet, but the tragic 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami stopped this. Instead, it was painted in colors meant to show a world filled with peace, and was dubbed the Peace Jet. This aircraft's registration is JA754A. It is the first to feature Generation V Pokémon.
Featured Pokémon:
This livery was retired in May 2016.
Pokémon Air Adventures aircraft
Pikachu Jet BC1
On June 21, 2021[4] Skymark Airlines introduced the first Pikachu Jet as part of the Pokémon Air Adventures program. The Boeing 737-800 (registration JA73AB) will primarily operate flights in and out of Okinawa, but will also fly on other Skymark Airlines routes, and is named Pikachu Jet BC in reference to Skymark's BC airline code.[5] The aircraft is yellow and is decorated with a total of 10 flying Pikachu (plus an extra underneath), and Skymark's blue tail has the Pokémon logo added. Upon the launch of the Pikachu Jet BC2 this jet was renamed to Pikachu Jet BC1.
Seats on-board the aircraft received Pokémon themed headrest covers and signage, cabin crew wear themed aprons, and there are Pokémon themed cups and exclusive Pokémon Air Adventures mini KitKats.[6] At Naha Airport, Skymark has Pokémon branded self check-in kiosks and desks, and Pokémon themed airport vehicles.[7] There is also a range of themed merchandise for sale on-board and at airports served by the jets.[8]
Featured Pokémon:
- Pikachu ×11
Pikachu Jet BC2
On May 30, 2022, Skymark Airlines launched a second Pokémon themed Boeing 737-800, dubbed Pikachu Jet BC2 (registration JA73NG).[9] This jet, like the previous, features internal and external Pokémon themeing, and will stay in service with this special livery for five years.
Featured Pokémon:
Pikachu Jet TR
On July 17, 2022, Scoot, a Singaporean low-cost airline, introduced a Boeing 787-9 with a Pokémon livery, the first non-Japanese airline to do so. Flights began on September 9, 2022, opertating between Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul.[10] The interior and exterior of the jet is decorated, and a range of Pokémon Air Adventures merchandise and food items are available for purchase.[11] This aircraft's registration is 9V-OJJ.
To celebrate the launch, from November 11, 2022, a Pikachu wearing a purple flower T-shirt was available in Pokémon GO and a special event named "Pikachu Weekend in Singapore" was held on November 18 - 20, 2022 alongside the Pokémon GO Safari Zone: Singapore.[10]
Featured Pokémon:
Pikachu Jet CI
On September 28, 2022, China Airlines unveiled the Pikachu Jet CI, an Airbus A321neo decorated with a new Pokémon livery, as part of the Pokémon Air Adventures program.[12] The jet primarily operates flights between Taiwan, and cities in Japan and South Korea.[13] Along with the exterior of the aircraft being decorated, inside includes themed pillows, cups, napkin rings and trays, as well as Pokémon Air Adventures snacks, pens, stickers and Post-it notes for passengers to enjoy.[14] There is also a range of merchandise available to purchase, including model planes, tote bags, and the same apron that the flight attendants wear.[15] This aircraft's registration is B-18101.
To celebrate the launch, the "Pikachu Weekend in Taipei" event was held in Taipei on October 21 - 23, 2022, alongside the Pokémon GO Safari Zone: Taipei. Beginning at this time a Pikachu wearing a green berry T-shirt was made available in Pokémon GO.[16]
Featured Pokémon:
Pikachu Jet TW
On December 28, 2022, T'way Air launched a Boeing 737-800 as part of the Pokémon Air Adventures program (Korean: 하늘 나는 피카츄 프로젝트 Flying Pikachu Project) in South Korea. The jet will primarily operate flights in and out of Gimpo Domestic Airport, and also between Gimpo and Songshan, Taiwan.[17] The exterior and interior are designed with various Pokémon, and the boarding pass, boarding music and various utensils within the plane are also Pokémon-themed.[18] From January 1, 2023, the airline has started to sell special edition goods, including Poké Ball-design blankets, Pokémon keyrings and gel pens. All passengers receive a Pikachu sticker, and a passenger lucky enough to obtain a Pilot Pikachu sticker will win a free ticket to Japan. This aircraft's registration is HL8306.
Featured Pokémon:
- Pikachu ×2
- Arcanine
- Bulbasaur
- Charmander
- Eevee
- Jigglypuff
- Meloetta (Aria Forme)
- Meloetta (Pirouette Forme)
- Shaymin (Sky Forme)
- Squirtle
Pikachu Jet GA1
On 30 May 2023, Indonesian airline Garuda Indonesia announced a partnership with the Pokémon Air Adventures campaign, promising to introduce Pokémon-themed liveries for two of their Boeing 737-800NG.[19] The first of the two livery designs, Pikachu Jet GA1, was revealed on December 19, 2023.[20] The GA1 livery is designed to represent the natural landscape of Indonesia: the port side depicts the seas, while the starboard side depicts the mountains and forests.[21][22] This aircraft's registration is PK-GMU.
The Garuda Indonesia Pikachu Jets began flying in February 2024, serving both domestic and international routes. They are used as part of the Pikachu's Indonesia Journey campaign.
Featured Pokémon:
Pikachu Jet NH
Featured Pokémon:
Eevee Jet NH
Featured Pokémon:
Other aircraft
Exeggutor Jet
On December 19, 2020, a Solaseed Air Boeing 737-800 (registered JA812X) received decals featuring Exeggutor and Alolan Exeggutor, as well as decorations inside the plane.[23] This themeing was removed in September 2022.[24]
In March 2023, a second Solaseed Air Boeing 737-800 (registered JA803X) Exeggutor jet (Japanese: ナッシージェット宮崎 Nassy Jet), this time consisting of an entire fuselage re-paint, began operation.[24] This theming is part of the Pokémon Local Acts program, where tourism to regions of Japan (in this case Miyazaki Prefecture) is promoted with the area's "favourite Pokémon". This themeing is due to last three years.
Featured Pokémon[25]:
- Exeggutor ×11
- Exeggutor (Alolan form) ×9
- Raichu (Alolan form) ×3
- Exeggcute
- Bellossom
Vulpix Jet
On November 9, 2021[26], Air Do unveiled a Vulpix Jet (Japanese: ロコンジェット Rokon Jet) as part of the Pokémon Local Acts program, to promote tourism in Hokkaido. The aircraft (a Boeing 767-300) is decorated with Vulpix on the starboard side, and Alolan Vulpix on the port side. This aircraft's registration is JA607A.
Featured Pokémon:
- Vulpix ×6
- Vulpix (Alolan form) ×5
Trivia
- During flights on ANA Pokémon Jets in the year 2000, a pin depicting Pikachu and Pichu was given to each person who was traveling.[27]
- Occasionally ANA would held distribution events for the celebration of new Pokémon Jets or other seasonal events in Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, for Japanese versions of the main series games. They all have "ANA" (which stands for All Nippon Airways) as their OT.
- A Flying Pikachu was first distributed in 2004 for Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen Versions in commendation of the launch of Pikachu Jumbo and Ohana Jumbo.
- A Darkrai was distributed on Winter 2010 for Black and White Versions in partnership with Pokémon Center in promotion for their winter vacation event.
- Another Flying Pikachu was distributed in 2011 for Black and White Versions in commendation to the launch of Peace Jet.
- In 1998, an exclusive print of Flying Pikachu depicting an aircraft in the background and a Dragonite was released in the "Pokémon Getaways" campaign; passengers of the flight could redeem their boarding passes for these two cards. While Dragonite was later available in Japan through Pokémon Web and in English through a promotion in conjunction with Mewtwo Strikes Back, the Pikachu card was never released in English.
- The ANA Pikachu Jumbo was featured in the Pikachu shorts Pikachu's Exploration Club, Pikachu's Ice Adventure, and Pikachu's Big Sparking Search.
External links
References
- The fleet and featured Pokémon was taken from Pokémon Jet, therefore, it has the references stated on that page.
- ↑ 20 photos of ANA’s cute Pokemon jets - Bouncing Red Ball (archived from the original December 22, 2008; retrieved July 8, 2021)
- ↑ Pokémon Air Adventures started! - The Pokémon Company (retrieved July 8, 2021)
- ↑ Pikachu Jet BC has landed! - The Pokémon Company (retrieved July 8, 2021)
- ↑ Skymark Airlines Pikachu Jet Boeing 737 Enters Service - Simple Flying (retrieved July 8, 2021)
- ↑ Pokémon Air Adventures - Skymark Airlines (retrieved July 01, 2023)
- ↑ Meet Pikachu on Board - Skymark Airlines (retrieved July 1, 2023)
- ↑ Pikachu learns how to fly as Japan’s new Pokémon airliner takes fight - SoraNews24 (retrieved July 1, 2023)
- ↑ Pikachu Jet Items - Skymark Airlines (retrieved July 1, 2023)
- ↑ Skymark Airlines to launch second Pokémon-themed jet - AviationUpdatesPH.com (retrieved July 1, 2023)
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Pikachu Jet TR takes to the skies soon! - The Pokémon Company (retrieved July 8, 2023)
- ↑ Pokémon Air Adventures - Scoot (retrieved July 8, 2023)
- ↑ China Airlines Unveils Stunning Pikachu Airbus A321neo And First Routes - Simple Flying (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Pikachu Jet CI - China Airlines (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ In-flight supplies - China Airlines (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Merchandise - China Airlines (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ "Pikachu Weekend in Taipei" happening soon! - The Pokémon Company (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ T'way Air, ‘Flying Pokémon’ Pikachu Jet TW starts operating from the 28th! - Pokémon Korea (retrieved July 1, 2023) (archived version)
- ↑ T'way Air starts operating ‘Pikachu Jet’ next month! - Pokémon Korea (retrieved July 1, 2023) (archived version)
- ↑ Garuda Indonesia Partners with The Pokémon Company and The Ministry of Tourism To Present "Pokémon Air Adventure" On Garuda Indonesia Aircraft - Garuda Indonesia (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Pikachu Jet GA1 - Garuda Indonesia on YouTube (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Garuda Indonesia Pikachu Jet - Garuda Indonesia (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Pikachu Jet - Pikachu's Indonesia Journey (retrieved January 14, 2024)
- ↑ Pokémon Planes Brought Back By Japan’s Solaseed Air - Simple Flying (retrieved July 8, 2021)
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 New Pokémon Jet: Japan’s Solaseed Reveals Exeggutor-Themed Livery - Simple Flying (retrieved June 25, 2023)
- ↑ Nassy Jet Miyazaki is in operation! - Solaseed Air (retrieved June 26, 2023)
- ↑ Japanese Airline Unveils Vulpix-Themed Aircraft, Taking Flight This December - NintendoSoup (retrieved June 26, 2023)
- ↑ Pokemon 2000 Ana Pikachu Pichu Pin Badge (retrieved March 28, 2010) (Dead Link)
This article is part of Project Real-Life, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on Pokémon activities and events experienced in the real world. |