Japan Airlines is featuring a commercial jet with Super Mario, the Minions, and other popular characters for a limited time. The occasion? The airline and Universal Studios are commemorating the opening of a brand new themed area.
A Colorful Medley of Mascots
Japan Airlines has unveiled a special livery with Mario and other pop culture characters for one of its Embraer 190 aircraft. The aircraft is named ‘Donkey Kong Country Opening Commemorative JAL x Universal Studios Japan Jet 2’.
The livery is to commemorate the opening of the Donkey Kong Country area at Universal Studios Japan. The design features a picture of Donkey Kong on the tail, but also sports Super Mario, the Minions, Harry Potter, Elmo and Cookie Monster, and Woody Woodpecker. Each image represents a different area found at the theme park.
The new Donkey Kong area opened on 11 December, 2024. The special jet entered service with the limited-time design on 14 January, 2025. Its last flight with the design will take place some time in June 2026.
Japan Airlines revealed the livery at a special ceremony featuring mascots of Sesame Street and Woody Woodpecker characters. A video later shows the jet taking off from Osaka to Fukuoka, Japan.
The jet will make seven flights during the month of February, flying from Osaka to seven other Japanese prefectures.
Universal Goodies on Japan Airlines Flights
Aside from the Donkey Kong Jet, travelers on board one of the airline’s Boeing 737-800 or Boeing 767-300ER will receive several freebies. These souvenirs include a boarding pass sticker sheet, a headrest cover, and a collectable paper cup. Unfortunately, these items are while supplies last.
Japan Airlines Senior Vice President of Marketing Ryo Kanazawa had this to say during the unveiling ceremony:
“As the official airline of Universal Studios Japan, JAL plays an important role in transporting customers from all over the country to Kansai and then to the park, and we are conducting joint marketing…Through this specially painted aircraft, we hope to deliver super excitement and thrills to people in various regions of the country, and make them feel super energetic. We hope to further strengthen our partnership with JAL and make many people happy.”
Credit: avgeekery.com
