There is now an R2-D2 airplane
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If you thought the new teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was the most exciting Star Wars thing to happen today, you were dearly mistaken. Hang on to your hat, because there is now a jumbo jet designed to look like lovable droid R2-D2. Today, Japanese airliner ANA announced the new project, which is actually just a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner that's been given droid wrappings.
The design is not too much of a stretch, as both the Dreamliner and fictional R2-D2 share the confines of a tube enclosure. However one thing you will not get with this airplane are witty tonal retorts. At least not from what we can tell.
ANA says this is part of a five-year "Star Wars Project" that will presumably bring more Star Wars-themed airliners into its fleet. This particular jet is scheduled to begin service on the airline's international routes this fall.
In the meantime, here's some footage of the plane gracefully flying about:
And some exterior shots, which appear to be renderings:
