LONDON – China Airlines in last days formally unveiled its “Pikachu Jet CI”. It is the first Pokémon liveried aircraft in Taiwan.

The special colours were given to an Airbus A321neo with registration B-18101. It took 21 days to prepare the most colourful paint job in China Airlines’ history. It is worth mentioning that on 30 September, the carrier organised a one-day charity micro-trip between Taoyuan and Taipei (Songshan).

Then, on 2 October, the plane will make its first flight between Taipei (Songshan) and Tokyo (Haneda) carrying Pokémon fans young and old with it. On board the plane, everything will be styled with a Pokémon theme.

The China Airlines “Pikachu Jet CI” painting process utilized 36 different types of paint. The fuselage was painted with progressive hues of pastel orange, pink and violet.

These will complement both the China Airlines corporate colours and the plum blossom logo on the tailfin, giving the impression of a starry night sky with dawn approaching. Eleven Pokémon characters will be featured, including Pikachu.

Carriers Chairman Su-Chien Hsieh thanked the Pokémon Company for choosing China Airlines to become a partner in this very meaningful charity initiative. The A321neo aircraft chosen for the livery is the latest next-generation passenger aircraft to be introduced by China Airlines.

Painting the livery was a transnational effort involving the best engineers at China Airlines Maintenance Division and Japanese painting experts who travelled all the way to Taiwan.

Travelers flying aboard the “Pikachu Jet CI” will be joined by Pokémons upon check-in through exclusive board passes and name tags. The passenger cabins and meals will feature Pikachu Jet CI – themed pillows, tray mats, paper cups, and mixed snacks. Flight attendants will wear aprons featuring Pikachu in flight.

The entertainment system will include 10 hand-picked Pokémon animations so that travellers can immerse themselves in Pokémon fun at all times.

In addition to the aircraft amenities, peripheral merchandise is now being jointly developed by China Airlines and the Pokémon Company. Four items include China Airlines “Pikachu Jet CI” model aircraft, mixed snack gift box, tote bag and flight attendant apron will be progressively released before the first quarter of next year.

Travelers on Asia, Palau and Guam flights will be able to order Pokémon merchandise exclusive to China Airlines online before departure.

A charity micro-trip was held on September 30. China Airlines President Kao Shing-Hwang as the tour guide for the day, the flight took off from Taoyuan Airport at 11:00AM and flew north over Miyako-jima, Okinawa, and Kagoshima, greeting Japan at long last. The flight returned to Songshan Airport at 3:07PM, bringing the one-day trip with Pokémon to a successful conclusion.

Pikachu Jet micro-trip immediately generated a big buzz among fans and the 80 limited-edition seats were sold out in just nine minutes. In keeping with the spirit of the “Pokémon Air Adventures” charity initiative, all proceeds from the air fare will be donated to the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families (TFCF).

On October 2 the aircraft will see its first flight on the Taipei (Songshan) – Tokyo (Haneda) route. China Airlines is treating travellers on flight CI220 to a relaxing breakfast at the restaurant next to the boarding gate so they can feast their eyes on the liveried aircraft.

In the future, passengers of the “Pikachu Jet CI” checking in at the airport or online will receive an exclusive printed or electronic boarding pass.

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