After a seven-year halt, Japan’s air carrier All Nippon Airways has reintroduced a new member of the Pokémon Jet family, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner named ‘Pikachu Jet NH’ which is painted with a special Pokémon livery.
The newcomer of the ANA aircraft fleet is set to launch passenger flights on several international routes on June 4, 2023. The Pikachu Jet NH will serve flights to Tokyo and Southeast Asia, Delhi, Vancouver, Sidney, and Honolulu.
“All Nippon Airways (ANA) and the Pokémon Company have teamed up under the “Pokémon Air Adventures” to launch its specially painted Pikachu Jet NH. […] The collaboration will include a series of special products and services including original goods and inflight entertainment,” ANA wrote in a statement released on March 26, 2023.
“With easing travel restrictions, the “Pokémon Air Adventures” is a project set to elevate the excitement of travel with the world of Pokémon. This new endeavor is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment for people to experience the joy of travel and the pleasure of mobility once again,” the air carrier concluded.
The 5.6-year-old Boeing 787-9 jet, registered JA894A, joined the ANA fleet in December 2017. The exterior of repainted Pokémon Jet now features a livery in which the Sky High Pokémon Rayquaza is depicted across the entire fuselage to create a vivid effect.
Meanwhile, the interior features a Pokémon-themed design and a new in-flight entertainment system which will be offered for passengers who plans to catch international flights starting from June 2023 as well as domestic flights from July 2023.
“Pokémon are also hidden inside the engines,” the airline hinted.
Pokémon Jet fever
ANA unveiled its first two promotional Pokémon Jets, the Boeing 747-400D, registered JA8965, and the Boeing 767-300, registered JA8569, in 1998 after the first Japanese anime fantasy adventure film ‘Pokémon: The First Movie’ was released.
At the time each aircraft was painted in 151 Pokémon characters, including the most popular and the most recognizable yellow mouse-like creature Pikachu.
Since the launch, ANA introduced a total of 10 aircraft to its Pokémon Jet fleet, including the Boeing 747-400D and two Boeing 767-300s in 1998, two Boeing 747-400s and other two 767-300s in 1999, as well as an additional two 747-400 wide-bodies in 2013. The airline ended such a livery trend in 2016 with its last Boeing 777-300 Pokémon Jet.
However, other carriers, including three Japanese regional airlines Solaseed Air, Air Do and Skymark Airlines as well as Singaporean low-cost carrier Scoot followed the creative ANA’s idea and introduced similar-themed jets to their fleets.
All Nippon Airways plans to operate the exclusively painted Pikachu Jet NH for five years until 2028.