United Airlines announced that it has teamed up with the latest – and last – Star Wars movie, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
As part of that, the airline will paint one of its aircraft in a special livery promoting the movie and introduce a new safety video among other things.
A United 737-800 to Wear a Star Wars Livery
The aircraft painted in the new livery is a Boeing 737-800, and is expected to enter into service in November. The airframe used for the livery will be N36272, and it will be used on routes within the United States, as well as to Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Decorating the livery on both sides of the aircraft will be Star Wars spacecraft including the X-Wing and TIE fighters placed against a dark backdrop.
Doug Chian, VP & Executive Creative Director at Lucasfilm, who was responsible for coming up with the design concept commented that:
Approaching the design for United Airlines was unlike anything I had ever done before,” he says. “I typically design for a flat screen when I design for films … an airplane fuselage presented a broad and exciting canvas.
Throughout December – the month in which the movie will premiere – United will play Star Wars music during boarding and present passengers on the plane with commemorative pins.
The aircraft’s headrests will be themed as well, featuring emblems of the Resistance and the First Order. There will be a plaque bringing attention to the partnership between United and Star Wars onboard as well.
Interestingly, when tracked on Flightaware, the aircraft will show on the map as an X-Wing fighter and the United logo will be replaced with the Star Wars logo.
United’s Star Wars Safety Video, Amenity Kits, and More
Besides the “Star Wars aircraft,” United will also introduce new Star Wars-themed amenity kits and safety video.
Mark Krolick, United’s vice president of marketing commented that:
United Airlines and the Star Wars franchise share a common goal: connect people and unite the world. We are thrilled to join forces and help promote the concluding chapter of the Skywalker story, while at the same time enlisting help from our new friends from the Star Wars universe to demonstrate the importance of safety for our customers and colleagues.
Rather than trying to describe the video, I will embed it below so that you can watch it easily.
- Access to the premieres of the movie in Los Angeles and London
- Travel packages for four to visit Star Wars filming locations in Jordan
- Special collectors package with amenity kits, pins, and an aircraft model
Other Airlines’ Star Wars Liveries
United won’t be the first airline to operate an aircraft with a Star Wars-themed livery.
A couple of years ago, the franchise partnered with ANA in what it called the ANA Star Wars Project. As part of that, four aircraft – including a 767-300ER, a 777-200ER (C3PO), a 787-8 (R2D2), and a 777-300ER (BB-8) – were decorated.
All of those except for the 767-300ER still wear their Star Wars liveries. The 777-200ER can be seen on domestic flights while the 787-8 and 777-300ER are used on international flights.
Recently, a Virgin Atlantic 747-400 and a LATAM 777-300ER have been turned into “Star Wars aircraft” as well.
Summary
Being a big fan of special liveries, it is great seeing United paint one of its aircraft into a Star Wars livery. Especially so considering that it is a “full” livery rather than just decals added to the existing livery. The new safety video is a nice addition to that as well.
While I will likely not have a chance to photograph the aircraft, I am looking forward to seeing photos by other plane spotters on the Internet.
