To capitalize on the December premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Japan carrier All Nippon Airways has launched a fleet of "Star Wars"-themed planes.
To capitalize on the December premiere of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Japan carrier All Nippon Airways has launched a fleet of "Star Wars"-themed planes.
Lucasfilm/ANA
The airline debuted plans in April for the R2-D2 ANA jet, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bearing the beloved droid's likeness.
The airline debuted plans in April for the R2-D2 ANA jet, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bearing the beloved droid's likeness.
The R2-D2 ANA jet is scheduled to go into service on international routes in the fall.
The R2-D2 ANA jet is scheduled to go into service on international routes in the fall.
The new "Star Wars" ANA jet will feature R2-D2 on the outside of a Boeing 767-300 with BB-8, a new droid from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." It is scheduled to start flying domestic Japanese routes in November.
The new "Star Wars" ANA jet will feature R2-D2 on the outside of a Boeing 767-300 with BB-8, a new droid from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." It is scheduled to start flying domestic Japanese routes in November.
The planes also will offer all six "Star Wars" films as part of its in-flight entertainment on international routes, the first time any "Star Wars" film has been part of in-flight entertainment.
The planes also will offer all six "Star Wars" films as part of its in-flight entertainment on international routes, the first time any "Star Wars" film has been part of in-flight entertainment.
Another vessel, a Boeing 777-300ER featuring the roly-poly BB-8, is scheduled to start serving international routes between Japan and North America in March.
Another vessel, a Boeing 777-300ER featuring the roly-poly BB-8, is scheduled to start serving international routes between Japan and North America in March.
The ANA "Star Wars" Project was announced in April, a partnership between the airline and Walt Disney. ANA was the launch customer for the 787, which entered service in 2011.
The ANA "Star Wars" Project was announced in April, a partnership between the airline and Walt Disney. ANA was the launch customer for the 787, which entered service in 2011.
ANA reveals new 'Star Wars' planes
CNN  — 

It’s been a wild week for “Star Wars” fans, what with the release of a new trailer for “The Force Awakens” leaving many viewers openly in tears on Thursday.

The icing on the geek cake?

To coincide with the release, Japan carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched a five-year “Star Wars Project” that includes a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner painted with an R2-D2 livery, proving yet again that the astromech droid does indeed have the ability to take flight.

The “Star Wars” themed plane is due to start flying international routes this fall, says the airline.

Airline Thai Smile has unveiled its new livery featuring "Adventure Time" stars Jake and Finn. The airline, a Thai Airways subsidiary, introduced the livery as part of a partnership with Cartoon Network Amazone, a water park based in the Thai resort city of Pattaya. Click on for more wild airline paint jobs.
Paint on a plane: Cartoon Network on Thai Smile —
Airline Thai Smile has unveiled its new livery featuring "Adventure Time" stars Jake and Finn. The airline, a Thai Airways subsidiary, introduced the livery as part of a partnership with Cartoon Network Amazone, a water park based in the Thai resort city of Pattaya. Click on for more wild airline paint jobs.
Courtesy THAI Smile
The Brussels Airlines A320's special livery is inspired by the Tintin comic book. It'll remain in place until 2019.
Tintin on Brussels Airlines —
The Brussels Airlines A320's special livery is inspired by the Tintin comic book. It'll remain in place until 2019.
courtesy DOUMENJOU Alexandre/MasterFilms
Southwest Airlines introduced a new red, yellow and blue color scheme, and a heart to represent the care the carrier puts into its product in 2014.
Southwest Airlines —
Southwest Airlines introduced a new red, yellow and blue color scheme, and a heart to represent the care the carrier puts into its product in 2014.
Courtesy Southwest Airlines
Frontier Airlines redesigned its fleet as well in 2014. The trademark array of animals on the tail have remained, though the carrier has reverted to an older version of the Frontier logo. Both Southwest's and Frontier's redesigns were leaked on Twitter ahead of the official announcements.
Bear necessities —
Frontier Airlines redesigned its fleet as well in 2014. The trademark array of animals on the tail have remained, though the carrier has reverted to an older version of the Frontier logo. Both Southwest's and Frontier's redesigns were leaked on Twitter ahead of the official announcements.
Courtesy Frontier Airlines
Earlier in 2014, Air New Zealand introduced new all-black livery, featuring a decorative emblem of a New Zealand fern. The all-black design was reserved for the delivery of the carrier's first 787-9 aircraft.
Back in black —
Earlier in 2014, Air New Zealand introduced new all-black livery, featuring a decorative emblem of a New Zealand fern. The all-black design was reserved for the delivery of the carrier's first 787-9 aircraft.
Courtesy Air New Zealand
Over the years, Air New Zealand has gained considerable attention for its Lord of the Rings and Hobbit branding. Calling itself "The official airline of Middle Earth", the carrier introduced cinema-themed decals, like Smaug (pictured) to coincide with the release of each movie.
A different 'Dragon Air' —
Over the years, Air New Zealand has gained considerable attention for its Lord of the Rings and Hobbit branding. Calling itself "The official airline of Middle Earth", the carrier introduced cinema-themed decals, like Smaug (pictured) to coincide with the release of each movie.
Courtesy Air New Zealand
Hawaiian Airlines decided to extend its branding beyond the plane and teamed with local arts collective Pow! Wow! Hawaii to custom design its ground service equipment at Honolulu International Airport.
Sultry looks in Hawaii —
Hawaiian Airlines decided to extend its branding beyond the plane and teamed with local arts collective Pow! Wow! Hawaii to custom design its ground service equipment at Honolulu International Airport.
Courtesy Hawaiian Air
Hawaiian also enlisted local artists Sig and Kuha'o Zane to create Pacific-themed livery for their regional airline, 'Ohana By Hawaiian. The artists incorporated Hawaiian Airlines' inter-island route map as a basis for the design.
All mapped out —
Hawaiian also enlisted local artists Sig and Kuha'o Zane to create Pacific-themed livery for their regional airline, 'Ohana By Hawaiian. The artists incorporated Hawaiian Airlines' inter-island route map as a basis for the design.
Courtesy Hawaiian Airlines
Fiji Airways won awards for its intricate, 2014 redesign. The design was inspired by traditional Fijian Masi art, and is meant to highlight the local culture.
Highlighting culture —
Fiji Airways won awards for its intricate, 2014 redesign. The design was inspired by traditional Fijian Masi art, and is meant to highlight the local culture.
Courtesy Fiji Airways
In 2013, Bangkok Airways introduced kid-friendly mascots on its livery to appeal to families. In general, the airline is known for its colorful planes.
Bold from Bangkok —
In 2013, Bangkok Airways introduced kid-friendly mascots on its livery to appeal to families. In general, the airline is known for its colorful planes.
Courtesy Bangkok Air
New Caledonia airline Aircalin updated its livery in 2014 when it received its first delivery of A320s. The airline took traditional symbols of the region -- the hibiscus flower and Kanak art -- to create a bold new look.
Flower power —
New Caledonia airline Aircalin updated its livery in 2014 when it received its first delivery of A320s. The airline took traditional symbols of the region -- the hibiscus flower and Kanak art -- to create a bold new look.
Courtesy Aircalin
Small Canadian airline Air Inuit introduced some new, very stylish livery in 2014.
Smart and stylish —
Small Canadian airline Air Inuit introduced some new, very stylish livery in 2014.
Courtesy Air Inuit
Taiwan's Eva Air decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hello Kitty by bringing its themed aircraft to Europe. The Hello Kitty Jet flies between Taipei and Paris.
It's not a cat, ok! —
Taiwan's Eva Air decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hello Kitty by bringing its themed aircraft to Europe. The Hello Kitty Jet flies between Taipei and Paris.
Courtesy Eva Air
Colorful airplane liveries from around the world

The “Star Wars Project” includes a special ANA website that plays the iconic theme song and features videos and photos of the plane.

The promotional tie-in comes ahead of the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Due to hit theaters December 18, it’s likely to be one of the biggest box office hits of the year.

It’s the first film in the franchise to be released under Disney’s ownership.

The studio paid $4 billion for Lucasfilm Ltd. in 2012.

World’s largest 787 fleet

ANA was the launch customer for the 787, which entered service in 2011.

With 34 Dreamliners, it currently operates the world’s largest 787 fleet.

The airline has an additional 49 787s on order, says manufacturer Boeing.

Late last month, Boeing announced ANA had finalized an order for three 787-10 Dreamliners, valued at approximately $900 million at list prices.

The order makes ANA the first airline in Asia to operate the entire family of 787 Dreamliners.