It’s truly the end of an era. On Monday, the final Star Wars painted ANA plane – in the colours of C-3PO – will take a maintenance flight from Haneda Airport to Taipei, where it will be returned to its regulation All Nippon Airways colours, marking the end of ten years of these magnificent droids taking to the skies. As Threepio finishes its final flight it joins R2-D2 (which took its last flight in August last year) and BB-8 (which last flew in the orange and white in March 2022), but with Star Wars returning to the big screen this May with The Mandalorian and Grogu and Starfighter celebrating half a century of the saga in 2027, let’s hope there are more collaborations between Lucasfilm and ANA, as it was always a joy to see these planes in the skies.
View this post on Instagram
The C-3PO™ ANA JET, beloved by many since its debut in 2017, will cease all commercial operations with ANA Flight 270 (from Fukuoka to Haneda) on Friday, January 9th.
On Monday, January 12th (national holiday), a maintenance flight from Haneda Airport to Taipei will be operated, marking its final flight in its current form. After arriving in Taipei, the aircraft will be repainted in its normal livery at the maintenance yard.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the warm support we have received so far.
■Schedule (Planned) Monday, January 12th (national holiday) Departing Haneda at 6:30 AM – bound for Taipei
*This is not a passenger flight, so boarding is not permitted.
*Departure times are subject to change without notice.
UPDATE: Anthony Daniels posted to X this week, remembering his own interactions with arguably the biggest C-3PO ever built.
View this post on Instagram
Sad that ANA have decided to retire their glorious Star Wars fleet. But I’m pleased to note that C-3PO was the last one standing – well – flying. It was the largest object I was ever invited to autograph. I was honoured to be asked. I’m sure 3PO was honoured to have been flown.
Anthony Daniels
@ADaniels3PO
Clear skies!
