ANA's new Star Wars R2-D2 livery flies the geek flag sky high

A thermocapsulary dehousing assister has just received the ultimate in aviation flattery: its own livery. For the ungeeked, a thermocapsulary dehousing assister is the official title of the beloved Star Wars droid R2-D2 — and it's coming to an ANA plane near you.

All Nippon Airways has locked in a 5-year deal that allows the airline, for the first time ever, to fly a Star Wars plane. Yep, normal planes just got ho-hum boring. First up is a Boeing 787 Dreamliner makeover in the likeness of R2-D2, that reliable and friendly droid. On its promo site, ANA has the following to say about the beeping mini-robot:

In the long adventurous journey, R2-D2 reached a unique personality.  Highly loyal and whenever he faces challenge he comes up with an original idea to succeed the mission.

It seems that the airline has found its first brand motivator, using R2-D2 as a corollary for what ANA is trying to achieve worldwide. The Star Wars link-up is part of ANA's novel global expansion strategy that will culminate in 2020 with — what else — complete global domination. The idea is to take something everyone knows well with the hopes that some of that love will rub off on the airline as it expands its reach.

Far from cheesy, the livery actually looks gorgeous in the rendering below. The Dreamliner's gentle wing curvature suggests R2-D2's arms and the colors truly pop against the blue sky. It really makes us want to lock in a R2-D2 journey as soon as routes are announced. Even if it's hard to see how cool the plane is while sitting on the inside, we can't wait to see it up close and personal.

Or, as R2-D2 would say: beep pop bob beep BEEP!