SPECIAL LIVERY - All Nippon Airways (ANA) / Boeing 787-8 / JA819A - New Pokemon

Naha - ROAH, Japan
Photo: SuneKuma

Aeromexico expects capacity to recover and reach high single-digit year-over-year growth in the 4Q 2026, supported by the recent delivery of two B787s, along with one additional aircraft expected later in the year.

Additional slots will also become available in Mexico City during the winter 2026/27 season.
Aviator / Duncan Stewart - LAX

SPECIAL LIVERY - AIR INDIA / B787-8 / VT-ANU - Star Alliance

Ton Jochems - AMS
 

FLEET - Air Congo Receives First Dreamliner Ahead of European Flights debut.

Air Congo has received its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner from technical partner and shareholder Ethiopian Airlines, marking a major step in the Democratic Republic of Congo carrier's preparations to launch long-haul flights to Brussels.

 

SPECIAL LIVERY - ANA Unveils Specially Painted "Red Pokémon Jet" To Mark 30th Anniversary of ANA×Pokémon Partnership

・ANA will hold an unveiling event for the specially painted aircraft on July 28, 2026.

・Applications open today for ANA Mileage Club members, and 80 winners will be selected by lottery to attend.

・The "Red Pokémon Jet" enters service on July 29, 2026.

TOKYO, Jul. 1, 2026 - All Nippon Airways (ANA) today announced it will unveil the specially painted "Red Pokémon Jet" as the first phase of the ANA x Pokémon 30th Anniversary Special Project. The unveiling event will be held on July 28, 2026 at the ANA Airframe Maintenance Building at Haneda Airport. Regular domestic flights for the aircraft are scheduled to begin the following day, Wednesday, July 29.

Up close, participants will see and experience the dynamic aircraft adorned with Fire-type Pokémon from across the series. The event also features a special ceremony and exhibition of original in-flight items.

From 11:00 today, July 1, ANA Mileage Club members can apply for one of the 80 places, awarded by lottery, to experience this collaboration between ANA and Pokémon firsthand.

Event Overview

Date & Time - Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 14:30 - 16:00 (Planned)
Location - ANA Airframe Maintenance Building (3-5-4 Haneda Airport, Ota-ku, Tokyo)
Application Period - Wednesday, July 1, 11:00 - Sunday, July 12, 23:59 (JST)
How to Apply Please apply via the campaign website below:
https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/mycampaign/pockemonjet_event_red_2026/
Eligibility -  ANA Mileage Club Member (Applicant) and up to 2 companions
(Elementary school students must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older)
Capacity 80 attendees

※Winners will be selected by lottery from the applicants and notified. Please check the application website for details and important notices regarding the event and application.

■ Specially Painted "Red Pokémon Jet" Inaugural Flight Schedule

・Inaugural Flight Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026

・Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 (Aircraft Registration: JA819A)

※Winners will be selected by lottery from the applicants and notified. Please check the application website for details and important notices regarding the event and application.


■ Specially Painted "Red Pokémon Jet" Inaugural Flight Schedule
・Inaugural Flight Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
・Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 (Aircraft Registration: JA819A)

ROUTES - ZIPAIR to Offer Additional Service to Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver and Seoul

Photo: Duncan Stewart

ZIPAIR Tokyo announced the decision to offer additional service between Tokyo Narita = Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver and Seoul on the following dates.

More informations:

https://www.zipair.net/ja/notification/406

SPECIAL COLOURS - UZBEKISTAN AIRLINES / B787-8 / UK78706 - GO UZBEKISTAN!:

For the first time in history, the flag of Uzbekistan will be represented at the 2026 World Cup.

The main design element is the White Wolf — the embodiment of the strength, courage, and unity of the national team.

All aircraft in the Uzbekistan fleet will be equipped with themed and personalized headrests.

Passengers in Business and Economy classes on transcontinental flights between Tashkent and New York will receive exclusive amenity kits.

Photo: Mark Bess

New York JFK International Airport

 

SPECIAL COLOURS - ANA and The Pokémon Company Unveil New Aircraft Designs in Celebration of Pokémon's 30th Anniversary

• The specially designed "Pokémon Jet Red" will operate on domestic routes beginning at the end of July.
• ● "Pokémon Jet Green" will serve international routes.

"Pokémon Jet Red" will operate on domestic routes in Japan and is scheduled to enter service at the end of July 2026. The design features Pikachu alongside fire-type Pokémon that players choose as their first partner at the beginning of their adventures. "Pokémon Jet Green" will serve international routes, with its launch date to be announced at a later time. Its design features Pikachu alongside grass-type Pokémon chosen as the first partner Pokémon throughout the video game series.
Exclusive In-Flight Amenities1
The immersive Pokémon experience will begin the moment passengers step on board, bringing the world of Pokémon to the skies with specially themed cabins featuring original artwork and ANA-designed amenities, including:
・Commemorative boarding stickers: Passengers will receive an exclusive promotional sticker featuring a special commemorative design. The design details will be revealed at a later date. Please note that distribution is limited to one sticker per passenger per flight, and availability may vary depending on route and operational conditions.

Headrest covers:
Vibrant designs showcasing the Pokémon featured on the aircraft exteriors, available on domestic flights in Economy Class and international flights in Economy and Premium Economy. Please note that headrest covers are for in-flight use only and cannot be removed from the seat.

Limited-edition cups:
Commemorative cups featuring Pokémon characters and the 30th anniversary logo, available on domestic flights in Economy Class and international flights in Economy and Premium Economy.

Cocktail napkins:
Custom napkins adorned with the collaboration and 30th anniversary logos, available on international flights in Economy, Premium Economy, and Business.

Details regarding future events and flight schedules will be announced on the ANA website and dedicated project pages. Fans can also look forward to upcoming announcements regarding the design of the third aircraft in the series, "Pokémon Jet Blue."
The collaboration honors the longstanding relationship between ANA and Pokémon, which began following the release of the original Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Green Version games, released in Japan.
In partnership with Pokémon, the ANA Group remains committed to creating meaningful travel experiences that inspire connection, discovery and bring the joy of travel to passengers across the world.
Aircraft Overview
■"Pokémon Jet Red" (Domestic routes in Japan)
・Aircraft type: Boeing 787-8 (Registration: JA819A)
・Design concept: Features Pikachu alongside fire-type Pokémon that players choose as their first partner at the beginning of their adventures
・Scheduled launch: End of July 2026
■"Pokémon Jet Green" (International routes)
・Aircraft type: Boeing 787-9 (Registration: JA923A)
・Design concept: Features Pikachu alongside grass-type Pokémon chosen as first partner Pokémon throughout the video game series
・Scheduled launch: To be announced

 

ROUTES - TUI Airways (UK) plans winter 2026/27 season long-haul flights in partnership with tour operators

Ton Jochems 

B787-8 will operate on routes from Bratislava to La Romana and Phu Quoc, and from Prague to Cozumel, La Romana, Phu Quoc and Punta Cana.

FLEET - LOT will take delivery of the first two ex-Thai B787-8s in 4Q 2026, with the remainder scheduled for 2027. They are on lease from DP Aircraft I (UK).

Photo: Ton Jochems - HS-TQF B787-8-BRU

 

Air India Welcomes Its First Retrofitted B787 Featuring New Cabin Interiors And Livery

Air India today unveiled its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the successful completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft.

The aircraft, which received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California, was subsequently painted in Air India’s striking new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California.

Refreshed cabins, upgraded experience

As part of the retrofit, the aircraft interiors were completely reconfigured, transforming it from a two-class layout previously to a modern three-class configuration now with the installation of brand-new seats and inflight entertainment (IFE) system, and bringing the aircraft in line with Air India’s latest widebody product standards, as seen on its new bespoke Boeing 787-9 inducted in January 2026.

The first B787 took close to 12,825 manhours over 45 days for the retrofit, as teams progressed through a tightly choreographed workflow - from stripping out the legacy interiors to reconfiguring the cabins, installing new seats, carpets, wall laminates, overhauling galleys, lavatories, and rigorously testing the new seating and cabin components.

Refurbishing the first aircraft required a total of:

475 metres of fabric for new seats across cabins
167 metres of synthetic leather
169 metres of carpet
646 litres of paint

The aircraft exterior received a complete makeover as well, with a 20‑member specialist team dedicating over 5,700 hours over 18 days to strip the old livery and meticulously apply the new Air India colours. 

These custom-styled cabins now feature:

20 luxurious private suites in Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout, each offering privacy sliding doors, direct aisle access, 42-inch of pitch, fully flat 79‑inch bed, 17‑inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, multiple charging options, a softly lit cubby, vanity mirror, headphone hook, and a jaali‑inspired feature lamp.

25 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout, each offering enhanced privacy, 38‑inch pitch, 7‑inch recline, 6‑way headrest, calf and leg rest, 13.3‑inch 4K QLED HDR screens, Type A and C fast charging ports, and a bottle holder for added convenience.

205 Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout, each ergonomically optimised, offering 31/32‑inch pitch, 5‑inch recline, 11.6‑inch 4K QLED HDR touchscreen, and Type A and C charging ports.

Additional enhancements across cabins encompass new carpets and curtains, new wall laminates, galley overhauls, refresh of all lavatories, replacement or refurbishment of overhead bin panels, installation of a new Cabin Service System, and an updated Crew Application Panel interface.

The cabins feature customised versions of the Elevate Ascent seat in Business Class and RECARO PL3530 and CL3710 seats in Premium Economy and Economy Class, respectively. All seats are equipped with Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system.

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said: “This is a yet another proud milestone in our transformation journey as we welcome this transformed legacy B787 aircraft as a shining beacon of the new Air India. The retrofit of our first widebody aircraft is a visible symbol of the momentum behind Air India’s transformation. With 25 other 787s undergoing this comprehensive refresh, we are rapidly modernising the backbone of our long‑haul fleet and raising the bar for customers flying between India and the world.

Air India’s First Retrofitted B787-8 Touches Down In Delhi

Air India's fully retrofitted VT-ANT at San Bernardino, USA

Air India today welcomed its first retrofitted, twin-aisle B787-8 (registered VT-ANT), marking the successful completion of a nose-to-tail cabin refresh of the first of 26 B787 aircraft. This is just the beginning of a transformed flying experience for our guests as these twin-aisle aircraft serve several long-haul destinations across the UK, Europe, USA and Far East.

The aircraft, which received comprehensive interior upgrades at Boeing’s Modification Center in Victorville, California, was subsequently painted in Air India’s striking new livery at AeroPro, an FAA Part-145 certified aircraft paint facility in San Bernardino, California.

Following the requisite regulatory certifications and clearances, the aircraft operated a non-stop ferry flight from San Bernardino to Delhi, flying over the Pacific and landing at 2244 hrs today.

Air India

 

ROUTES - Royal Brunei Airlines launches non-stop Heathrow service

Royal Brunei Airlines (BI, Bandar Seri Begawan) has launched a non-stop B787-8 service between Bandar Seri Begawan and London Heathrow as of March 10, 2026. The route, operated 3x weekly, temporarily replaces the carrier's fifth-freedom Bandar Seri Begawan-Dubai International-London Heathrow service, which became unviable due to the ongoing security situation in the Middle East. According to ch-aviation schedules data, the non-stop flights are currently available only until March 26, 2026.

CH Aviation / Photo: Royal Brunei

FLEET - Thai Airways leases additional B787-8

Thai Airways has announced it has signed a lease-agreement with an unnamed lessor for additional Boeing B787-8s. In total, the deal is for ten aircraft, which are expected to be delivered from June onwards.

Being B787-8s, deliveries starting relatively quick, and the number of aircraft involved, we at Scramble suspect that these Dreamliners are former China Southern Airlines-aircraft that have been retired from service and were offered for sale previously. They are vintage 2013 and 2014 aircraft.

According to the airline, the new additional aircraft will replace (to be) retired aircraft and be used as a bridge until its own newly ordered B787s will be delivered. It currently has open orders with Boeing for 39 B787-9s and six B787-10s which are planned to begin to arrive in 2027.

Thai Airways is undergoing a fleet renewal and simplification programme, planning to standardize the fleet to the Airbus A321neo, A350-900 and Boeing B787-8, -9, and -10.

Today, the airline's fleet is made-up of 20 A320s, two A321neos (30 more on order), six A330-300s, 23 A350-900s, two B777-200s, seventeen B777-300ERs, six B787-8s and four B787-9s.

Photo: Ton Jochems

SPECIAL COLOURS - ANA to Launch Three New Liveries for Pokémon 30th Anniversary

In celebration of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, ANA will introduce three new Pokémon Jet liveries, scheduled to enter service in 2026.

・The aircraft designs are inspired by the classic Pokémon Red, Green and Blue games.

・ANA will operate the new 'Pokémon Jet' on both domestic and international routes for the first time in about 10 years, connecting the world's skies.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) and The Pokémon Company will launch three new Pokémon Jets with special liveries in 2026 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon brand.
The collaboration builds on a partnership that began in 1998 with the world’s first Pokémon Jet. ANA currently operates the “Pikachu Jet NH” and “Eevee Jet NH” as part of the Pokémon Air Adventures project, an initiative dedicated to connecting people and communities worldwide. To date, a total of eight aircraft has featured special Pokémon liveries.
The three new aircrafts will be introduced sequentially throughout 2026.
“This project goes beyond just a livery; it’s about creating an immersive world that sparks imagination, inspires curiosity and brings the joy of discovery to our passengers throughout their journey,” said Keiji Omae, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience at ANA. “Whether you first began your journey on a Game Boy screen decades ago, or are currently exploring new regions through your mobile apps, we invite you to take your next 'adventure' into the real world with ANA. Many of our passengers flying with us today were the kids who marveled at our first Pokémon Jet in 1998. We are honored to be the wings that carry not just passengers, but also their cherished memories and future adventures.”

■ A Dual Celebration: Pokémon’s 30th and ANA’s 40th International Anniversary
The year 2026 marks a milestone for both companies. It is the 30th anniversary of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, released on Feb. 27, 1996, and the 40th anniversary of ANA’s first international flight.
ANA views this historic convergence as an opportunity to express gratitude to fans worldwide and create new experiences for the next generation of travelers, centered around the key concept: "Experience the Excitement and Fun of the Journey with Pokémon."
■ Aircraft Overview and Design
The three newly commissioned jets draw inspiration from the original Pokémon Red, Green and Blue games.

・Pokémon Jet Red (Boeing 787-8)： Scheduled Service: Domestic Routes

・Pokémon Jet Green (Boeing 787-9) ：Scheduled Service: International Routes

・Pokémon Jet Blue (Boeing 737-800) ：Scheduled Service: Domestic Routes

The designs on the three aircrafts will connect to tell a cohesive story based on each original game theme. Specific livery designs and launch dates will be announced in May.

In addition to the aircraft liveries, the project will include special campaigns allowing passengers to fully immerse themselves in the world of ANA and Pokémon. Updates will be posted on the ANA website.

Together with the Pokémon Jets, the ANA Group will continue to serve as “wings of the heart,” connecting the world and delivering the joy and excitement of travel to all.

FLEET - PNG's Air Niugini cancels its B787-8 order

Air Niugini (PX, Port Moresby) has cancelled its order for two B787-8s, according to Boeing orders and deliveries data for January 2026. The move leaves the state-owned carrier without a confirmed replacement for its B767-300ER fleet, which is scheduled to exit service this year.

Both B767s are due to be returned to lessors in 2026 upon lease expiry. The B787s had been intended to directly replace these aircraft and open new routes to Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

The cancellation aligns with earlier caution expressed by the airline's board. In a January 2025 press release detailing the carrier's refleeting programme, chairman Karl Yalo noted that while the government had previously approved the purchase, "changing circumstances" had compelled the airline to review the agreement.

However, Air Niugini's then-CEO Gary Seddon told ch-aviation in May 2025 that the commitment remained "intact" and was central to the carrier's long-term international strategy, although he acknowledged the delivery timeline had slipped to late 2027. Seddon said at the time that the airline was "actively considering bridging lift capacity options" to ensure operational continuity.

ch-aviation data shows that Air Niugini operates a passenger fleet comprising two A220-300s, three B737-800s, two B767-300ERs, eleven Dash 8 turboprops, five F100s, and four F70s. It has remaining commitments for eight A220-100s directly from Airbus Canada.
CH-Aviation

Boeing has retired its last B787-8 test aircraft, registration ZA004, after more than 16 years in service.

Boeing’s last 787-8 Dreamliner test aircraft, ‘ZA004’, has retired to the Arizona desert, after performing more than 670 test flights over 16 years of service.

 

ROUTES has applied for U.S. approval to launch nonstop service between Casablanca and Los Angeles,

Seeking exemption authority from the Transportation Department to begin !ights in June 2026. The airline says it hopes regulators will act quickly so it can “initiate sales and advertising activities immediately upon receipt of all required government approvals.”

Royal Air Maroc plans to operate the route using its Boeing 787-8 or -9 !eet and says the service “would represent the "rst nonstop service between Los Angeles and Casablanca,” expanding travel options for passengers and cargo.

Routesonline / Photo: RAM

NEW LIVERY - Royal Jordanian Airlines: First B787-8 with the new livery (JY-BAG)

Photo: YNTer
 

ROUTES - Air Europa takes the preliminary step toward launching operations in South Africa.

Which may include the route between Madrid and Johannesburg.

Photo: Flyingphotos