There are a lot of amazing vehicles in the Star Wars saga. Unfortunately, they're all the stuff of science fiction and the future. For now, the best that most humans have for earthly travel is the airplane, but it is possible to bring a bit of Star Wars to it.
Japanese airline All Nippon Airways, or ANA for short, unveiled the new R2-D2 ANA Jet, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted to look like the beloved Star Wars droid, at the Boeing factory in Everett, Wash. Saturday. This is the first time a Star Wars character has ever appeared on the exterior of a commercial aircraft, according to ANA.
In case you ever wondered what the trash can-like R2-D2 would look like as a huge airplane, here's your answer. The nose of the R2-D2 ANA Jet has the iconic blue, white and gray design of the droid in the movies, complete with its red sensor. The Star Wars logo also appears on the side of the aircraft in huge, black letters, if, for some reason, you need a reminder of what you're looking at.
The interior of the plane will also be a Star Wars fan's dream with themed in-flight decorations, such as headrest covers, paper napkins and cups. Passengers will also be able to watch the six Star Wars movies that have already been released, the first time they have ever been a part of an in-flight entertainment system.
The inaugural flight of the R2-D2 ANA Jet will be a Fan Appreciation Flight scheduled for Oct. 17, which will take off from and return to Handea Airport in Tokyo. The flight, which will last approximately two to three hours, will carry 89 passengers, all of whom are required to wear Star Wars costumes.
The R2-D2 ANA Jet is scheduled to go into service on Oct. 18 with a flight from Tokyo to Vancouver. The plane will then fly between Japan and other cities in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.
ANA originally revealed its plans for Star Wars-themed aircrafts during the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, Calif. in April. The airline's partnership with The Walt Disney Company will also feature two other aircrafts with Star Wars themes, including a Boeing 767-300 of BB-8, the new droid appearing in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, and a Boeing 777-300ER featuring both R2-D2 and BB-8. The BB-8 plane will begin flying domestic routes in Japan in November, and the BB-8 and R2-D2 plane will fly mainly between Japan and North America starting in March 2016.
While you wait to board your Star Wars plane from Tokyo's Narita Airport, you can always play the Star Wars Battle Pod arcade game, which is installed in ANA's lounge. The airport lounge might not look exactly like the Mos Eisley Cantina, but that is a pretty out-of-this-world amenity anyway.
Via: Digital Trends
