These are not the droids you are looking for – ANA to withdraw its Star Wars “Droid” fleet

Sometimes in the air, a special livery can brighten a day a lot when travelling.  Sadly, it seems ANA (All Nippon Airways) is nearing the end of its relationship with Star Wars, as the Boeing 777-300ER painted to resemble the best of all droids – R2-D2 – is set for its final flight.

R2-D2 will have its final set of flights, operating on 6th August. It will operate as NH102 from Haneda to Washington and as NH101  from Washington to Haneda. It’s a Boeing 787-9 for those remotely interested, not by Industrial Automation, which manufactures the R-series of droids in-universe.

With the partnership ending, the C-3PO jet  (a Boeing 777 which operates domestic routes in Japan) will also see its end, with the aircraft scheduled to end operations in the first week of January after the new year (2026).

And the BB-8 jet? Long since painted back into house colours, with its last flying in March 2022 in these colours.

Star Wars BB-8 Jet – Image, Economy Class and Beyond. 

The Star Wars x ANA campaign has run since 2015 – a long time by aviation and branding association standards.

Other partnerships have faded too…

The force is not so strong in other partnerships, with the United Airlines aircraft, which prompted “The Rise of Skywalker” being painted back in 2022, and the LATAM Boeing 777-300ER (promoting Galaxy’s Edge) being painted back into house colours in 2023.

Whilst the force may be with us always, liveries like this are subject to agreements and licensing periods. When those expire, the aircraft return to their house colours.

For now, the skies will have a few droids less flying around.