ANA reveals a special aircraft for Chiikawa fans
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has unveiled the full design of its new “Chiikawa Jet,” a specially painted aircraft created through the airline’s collaboration with the hugely popular Japanese character series Chiikawa. The aircraft was shown to members of the media on October 18, one day before its scheduled launch on October 19, 2026.
The special aircraft is expected to attract attention not only from aviation enthusiasts but also from fans of Japanese pop culture. Chiikawa has become one of Japan’s most recognizable contemporary character brands, winning a broad following through its expressive characters, gentle humor and everyday adventures. Its popularity has also expanded beyond Japan, making the ANA collaboration particularly appealing to international visitors and anime and character-goods fans.
A Boeing 767 decorated with eight characters
The aircraft assigned to the project is a Boeing 767-300 configured for domestic flights. Its registration number is JA609A. The exterior features eight characters, including Chiikawa, Hachiware and Usagi, creating a colorful design intended to stand out on the airport apron and in the sky.
The livery also includes motifs associated with the four seasons and locations across Japan. These details give the aircraft a distinctly Japanese character, connecting the world of Chiikawa with the country’s changing landscapes and seasonal culture. Japan’s spring, summer, autumn and winter scenery is a familiar source of inspiration in tourism and design, and the aircraft’s artwork reflects that nationwide perspective.
Special touches continue inside the cabin
The collaboration is not limited to the aircraft’s exterior. In economy class, passengers will find original Chiikawa-designed headrest covers, while paper cups will also carry a special collaborative design. ANA is additionally planning to sell limited-edition collaboration merchandise, giving passengers an opportunity to take home a memento of the flight.
For visitors from overseas, the experience offers a convenient way to encounter a major part of Japan’s character culture while traveling between domestic destinations. Special aircraft and themed travel campaigns have become an increasingly popular feature of Japan’s aviation and tourism scene, combining transportation with entertainment and regional discovery.
First service will connect Haneda and Nagasaki
The first scheduled flight is ANA661, departing Tokyo Haneda Airport at 8:15 a.m. on October 19 and traveling to Nagasaki. After the inaugural service, the Chiikawa Jet is expected to operate on a variety of ANA domestic routes rather than remaining limited to a single city pair.
Because aircraft assignments can change according to operational requirements, travelers hoping to fly on the special aircraft should check ANA’s latest flight information before making plans. Nevertheless, the launch adds a cheerful new attraction to Japan’s domestic network and is likely to generate strong interest among Chiikawa fans, families and international travelers seeking memorable experiences in Japan.
