Summary
After nearly a decade in service, the beloved Star Wars-themed 777 prepares to bow out
For aviation enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike, the bright gold gleam of All Nippon Airways’ (ANA) C-3PO™ ANA JET has been impossible to miss in skies over Japan and beyond. But after years of delighting passengers and spotters, the aircraft’s story is about to come to a memorable close.
ANA has confirmed the final scheduled flights for the Boeing 777-200ER adorned in the C-3PO livery — marking the end of one of the most beloved aircraft liveries in modern aviation history. This is your guide to what’s happening, when, and where you might still see this unique jet before it departs the active fleet.
A Galaxy-Far-Away Comes Home
Photo (c) All Nippon Airways
The C-3PO ANA JET first entered service as part of ANA’s unique Star Wars Project — a collaboration with Lucasfilm and Disney that painted aircraft in special Star Wars character liveries and offered immersive experiences onboard. While ANA has operated several such jets over the years, including R2-D2 and BB-8–themed aircraft, the C-3PO jet has been a standout thanks to its striking gold livery and high-visibility presence at airports across Japan and internationally.
With the Star Wars Project winding down after a decade, ANA announced that the final flight of its R2-D2–themed 787-9 took place in August 2025. The C-3PO jet’s farewell was always planned for later — and that time is now nearly here.
Final Flights Announced — January 7–9, 2026
On December 5, 2025, ANA detailed the retirement schedule for the C-3PO ANA JET, confirming that it will operate three days of special flights between January 7 and January 9, 2026. These flights have been carefully planned to give as many fans and passengers as possible the chance to see or fly on this iconic aircraft one last time.
Over these three days, the jet will operate a variety of scheduled domestic routes from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) to cities including Osaka (Itami), Sapporo (New Chitose), and Fukuoka — touching on some of Japan’s most popular destinations.
The final flight in this farewell series is slated for January 9, 2026, with flight NH270 departing Fukuoka at 19:55 and arriving back at Tokyo Haneda at 21:30, after which the aircraft’s commercial flying days will be over.
The Legacy of ANA’s Star Wars Jets
Photo (c) Anna Zvereva
The C-3PO ANA JET has been part of a small but unforgettable fleet of Star Wars–branded aircraft. The Star Wars Project began in 2015 with R2-D2–themed Dreamliner service and expanded to include BB-8 and combined motif jets over the years. While most of those aircraft have already been retired, the C-3PO jet remained in active service longest — a final ambassador of the collaboration between ANA, Lucasfilm, and Disney.
As ANA’s official project website notes, the Star Wars Jets initiative will formally draw to a close on March 31, 2026, but with C-3PO scheduled for retirement in January, for many this three-day farewell will truly signal the end of the era.
A Final Celebration — January 10 Event
The C-3PO™ ANA JET’s mission is coming to an end. We are truly grateful for the joy and excitement brought by the C-3PO™ ANA JET. ✨
The final flights will be on January 7th, 8th, and 9th, with an event on January 10, 2026. Learn more: https://t.co/SGsw5JBQih pic.twitter.com/bqrDIEI12f
— All Nippon Airways (@FlyANA_official) December 5, 2025
Following the last operational flights, ANA is expected to host an official “ANA STAR WARS™ PROJECT Final Event” on January 10, 2026 at a hangar at Tokyo Haneda Airport. The gathering will allow fans and Mileage Club members the unique opportunity to view the C-3PO ANA JET up close, alongside exhibits celebrating the Star Wars Jets program. A limited number of slots will be available through a lottery system for ANA Mileage Club members, adding an exclusive twist to the farewell.
For many, this event will be the perfect close to a decade of one of the most creative airline liveries in modern memory.
May the Force be with you — and may your logbook include one last sighting of the C-3PO ANA JET before it retires into legend.
