“Fly Panda” with ANA

By Shay • Jul 29th, 2007 • Category: China, Japan, More, art, news     

Have you ever dreamed about riding on a flying Giant Panda? Perhaps not, but thanks to ANA now you can.

Photo courtesy AP Photo/Koji Sasahara

Japan’s second largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA) unveiled its “Fly Panda” plane at Narita International Airport on July 24th, 2007. The Boeing 767 is dressed in black and white and depicts a flying Giant Panda.

The special plane inaugurat[ed] its Narita-Beijing flight Wednesday morning, July 25, to mark 35th anniversary of normalization of Japanese-Chinese diplomatic relations and 20th anniversary of the airlines’ flight service operation between the two nations.

I like this idea. It’s a great way to celebrate the company’s anniversary and the normalization of diplomatic relations. Those official relations may still have some way to go but ‘Mr. Panda Plane’ is a good start. Pandas make anything better, right?

ANA has some of the prettiest planes in the sky when they’re painted regularly. But they have had some pretty great themed jets in the past. I’m torn though…which one is cooler? The Fly Panda plane or the Pokemon jets?

On top of a superbly painted and cute exterior, the plane’s cabin is stuffed full of Panda decor. Even the flight’s meal is brilliantly Panda-themed. From Panda coffee cups to napkins to chopsticks to snacks and desserts, everything is covered.

Here’s some great interior and exterior shots of the plane,

Images courtesy http://enjoyjapan.naver.com

 
Now, how do I book the emeregency exit row seat next to the Giant Panda?

Sources: Naver (Kr) & Pictopia/Yahoo

Bonus: ANA Pokemon campaign site

Also: Relatively small and now-defuct American carrier Westpac had some pretty cool sponsored theme planes back in the mid-to-late 90s…like The Simpsons jet! Ah the memories.

Shay is hanging out with a soccer-playing buffalo.
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8 Responses »

  1. Japan News for July 31, 2007 » Japan Probe on July 29th, 2007 at 3:02 pm:

    [...] Fly Panda: Japan’s second largest airline, All Nippon Airways (ANA) unveiled its “Fly Panda” plane at Narita International Airport on July 24th, 2007. [Link] [...]

  2. Bill on July 30th, 2007 at 11:31 am:

    Where do find this stuff? Pokeman Jets:)

  3. Jamaipanese on July 31st, 2007 at 10:35 am:

    sorry pokemon but the panda owned you ^_^

  4. Rachel Delgallo on July 31st, 2007 at 2:29 pm:

    This is awesome, i wish i could own one of these things. I collect panda bear things and that would make a GREAT addition… Again, cool idea.

  5. Shay on July 31st, 2007 at 3:11 pm:

    Bill: haha I’m not always sure ;)

    Jamaipanese: Ya, the pand win this round but I woulndn’t put it past the Pokemon to fight back with avengeance :P

    Rachel: That’s cool. Maybe you’ll be able to find one of those miniature panda plane toys or something. Good luck with your collection ^-^

  6. Fly panda celebrates ANA's 20th anniversary of China flight on August 30th, 2007 at 12:34 am:

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