You may remember that last year, in the run-up to the release of Coco, Pixar teamed up with Southwest Airlines and unveiled a Coco themed airplane, and it seems like this is becoming somewhat of a trend.
To celebrate the opening of Toy Story Land in Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines worked with the Shanghai Disney Resort to create an entirely Toy Story themed plane. The outside is boldly painted with a giant Buzz Lightyear. Let’s hope his flying is flying rather than “falling with style” this time! It took its first flight at the end of April.
© Disney
And it’s not just the outside that’s been adorned with Toy Story characters and references – the inside really goes the extra mile. The ceiling is decorated with those familiar Toy Story clouds, and all the seats have one of the many popular characters on them, including Woody, Jessie, Rex, Trixie, and even Lotso (Lotso is a big thing in China – who knew?). Passengers are even served Toy Story themed refreshments, offered Toy Story themed headphones, and given commemorative Toy Story boarding passes to take away as a souvenir.
© Disney
But Toy Story isn’t the only Pixar movie franchise that has been upgraded to first class – today, Pixar revealed the all new Incredibles 2 Alaska Air plane! To celebrate Alaska Airlines Aviation Day, the plane was unveiled today in Seattle and it couldn’t look more super.
“These characters are among the most celebrated characters in the Pixar family. After waiting 14 years to see them on the big screen again, fans will love seeing them on their Alaska Airlines plane, too.”
(Incredibles 2 producers Nicole Grindle and John Walker)
Pixar also posted timelapse footage, showing how the Incredibles 2 plane came to life. Watch it below:
Take off to an Incredible adventure on board Alaska Air's #Incredibles2 plane, jet-setting Sunday. ✈️ #Incredibles2 is in theatres June 15! pic.twitter.com/TopUdtSXB7
— Pixar (@Pixar) May 5, 2018
If you look closely, you’ll see a very concerned raccoon on the tail of the plane, almost as if it’s holding on for dear life. This raccoon has been hinted as being Jack Jack’s arch nemesis in the eagerly awaited Incredibles sequel.
It’s amazing, and oddly inspiring, to think that these planes are making flights in our skies at the moment – the sky’s the limit! Or is it? Here’s some news that’s a bit more cosmic in ambition: NASA have named two of their satellites after WALL-E and EVE, the lovebird robots from 2008’s WALL-E. They’re to be launched into space this weekend, on course for Mars!
The satellites are maybe a bit of a one-off thing, but it seems likely that Pixar themed airplanes will be something we’ll see again in the future! Let us know if you’re ever lucky enough to book a flight on one of them.
