Japan’s ANA airlines unveils new Star Wars-themed planes

R2D2 and C3PO — The "Star Wars" robots R2-D2 (R) and C-3PO are displayed for the media at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington August 22, 2006. The Museum will be closing for renovation later this year, but an engaging mix of famous holdings will be transferred to the Air and Space Museum as part of the "Treasures of American History", until the Museum reopens in 2008. Reuters/Mike Theiler

'Star Wars' fans, rejoice! Japan's ANA airlines is launching two new planes designed like the iconic robot characters R2-D2and BB-8 from the cult series.

The new look is part of a deal with The Walt Disney Company of Japan and comes in line with the worldwide premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in Dec. 2015, writes StuckAtTheAirport . One plane, a Boeing 777-300ER, will be decorated with BB-8, a new character.features the much loved R2-D2 on a Boeing 767-300. The airline also previously announced an R2-D2 inspired Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

All of ANA's themed jets will feature "Star Wars" items from top to bottom, including paper cups and napkins, headrest covers and various decor and in-flight service items. They will also feature all of the series six films as part of its in-flight entertainment offering on international flights. This is similar to what EVA Air’s Hello Kitty-themed Boeing A330-300 jets, which is donned with everything Hello Kitty all around. EVA Air has three of these planes, according to its website.

On the ANA website, the R2-D2 jet will begin servicing on Oct. 18 with a Haneda-Vancouver maiden flight. In mid-October to late November, its principal destination would be Narita-San Jose. By early Dec., it will fly Narita-Seattle. Many other destinations will be provided from mid- Dec ember. and beyond, including Sydney, Jakarta, Beijing, Munich and Paris. The BB-8 jet has a tentative international flying schedule of March 2016, primarily on North American routes. The Star Wars ANA jet has a target of winter 2015 and will fly nationwide.

The "Star Wars" franchise appears to have a solid fan base in Japan. In July 2015, rice farmers at Inkadate Village in the Aomori prefecture mapped out a mural that features C3PO, R2-D2 and BB-8 on a paddy. The group reportedly used computer technology to create the design and apply marked reeds for the outline. Planters sowed rice plants of different colours to create an effect that matches the desired design.

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STAR WARS™ JETS (R2-D2™ ANA JET / STAR WARS™ ANA JET / BB-8™ ANA JET)