The Pikachu Jet is expanding its reaches in a few days' time, withThe Pokemon Companyannouncing that the novelty plane fleet will have an even busier 2023 itinerary. The expansion concernsChina Airlines' ongoing “Pokemon Air Adventure” serieswhich introduced its first Pikachu Jet back in August.
The Pokemon Companyunveiled the first Pikachu Jet in mid-2021in a bid to help promote tourism across the Far East in the aftermath of the initial COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last 18 months, the program yielded four distinct aircraft: the Pikachu Jet BI, CI, TR, and TW. Their model numbers denote the airline codes of the companies that operate them, with “CI” belonging to Taiwan’s China Airlines. Most of the fleet consists of repainted Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
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China Airlines is now adding another route to its Pokemon-themed flights, as its Pikachu Jet CI will soon start flying between the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Naha Airport in Southern Japan. The first such flight is scheduled to take place on Sunday morning, January 1st. While China Airlines has not yet shared a detailed 2023 itinerary for its Pikachu Jet CI, the company said it will strive to continue offering flights across its established routes throughout the following year. Over the last four months, the plane mainly flew between the Taipei Matsuyama Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport.
Unlikethe entirely yellow Pikachu Jet BC, Pikachu Jet CI is dominated by various shades of blue and purple. China Airlines previously said that this design was inspired by the color of dawn. The plane’s tale also features a stylized plum blossom from the airline’s logo.
The Pokemon Company’s willingness to engage with licensing opportunities is a big part of the reason why Pokemon remains one of the most recognizable brands in the world. In the last few weeks alone, the company revealed everything from Pikachu-shaped Bluetooth speakers toPokemon-themed manhole covers. That said, the Pikachu Jet fleet is definitely one of the most extravagant examples of Pokemon-themed marketing to date.
The incredible strength of thePokemonbrand is also reflected on the mainline series' sales figures. It was just last month thatPokemon Scarlet and Violetachieved 10 million in combined sales over the first three days on the market, thus setting yet another presumably short-lived record for the ever-popular RPG series. Meanwhile, the originalPokemon Red,Green, andBlueheld the title of Japan’s best-selling game for 26 years until they were finally dethroned byAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsin November.
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