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UPNetwork -> Pokénomics -> News -> Pokémon 747 to visit New York

Source: anaskyweb.com -> http://www.anaskyweb.com/us/e/about_ana/corp_info/news/1999/990222.html

02/22/99

POKEMON 747 TO VISIT NEW YORK

FEB 22, 1999

All Nippon Airways (ANA), has unveiled plans to fly a specially painted Boeing 747-400 aircraft - part of its "Pokemon" family of jets - to the U.S., beginning Wednesday (February 24) with a flight from Tokyo to JFK Airport in New York.

The exterior of the 232-foot long aircraft is painted with characters from Pokemon, the popular software game and television cartoon series. It will be the fourth member of the "ANA Pokemon Jet Family," joining three other "Pokemon" aircraft -- one 747-400 and two Boeing 767-300s -- which already fly on ANA's extensive route network in Japan. The "ANA Pokemon Jet U.S. Version" will be used on ANA routes to North America.

Pokemon emerged in 1996 as a Nintendo Gameboy software game in Japan and soon captured the imaginations of children across the nation with its 151 fanciful characters boasting magical powers. In April 1997, Pokemon became a television series in Japan, followed by the U.S. in September 1998. Pokemon (the television series) subsequently entered the Hong Kong, Taiwan and China markets, where it has proved extremely popular. Pokemon also made its big screen debut in Japan last summer.

Passengers flying the "ANA Pokemon Jet U.S. Version" will be welcomed aboard by cabin attendants wearing original Pokemon aprons and will enjoy special Pokemon headrest covers. Original Pokemon goods will be available through ANA in-flight sales. ANA first added "Pokemon Jets" to its fleet on July 2, 1998, with the introduction of two colorfully decorated aircraft into service in Japan. The third "ANA Pokemon Jet" was added July 19, also on routes in Japan. Since their introduction, the Pokemon aircraft have carried more than one million ANA passengers.

With the extension of "Pokemon Jet" service to the U.S., ANA hopes both to share the fun of flying and bring the magic of Pokemon to all of its passengers, both young and young at heart, on both sides of the Pacific.