ANA's Green Pokémon Jet Debuts on the Honolulu Route
As of September 2026 · 3 min read
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- ANA's Green Pokémon Jet entered service on September 18, 2026, and its first commercial flight was Tokyo Haneda to Honolulu.
- The aircraft is a Boeing 787-9 registered JA923A. It is the only one of ANA's three anniversary Pokémon jets assigned to international routes.
- It debuted as NH186 to Honolulu, then turned and flew NH185 back to Haneda.
- ANA lists 15 main international routes for the aircraft between September 18, 2026 and March 27, 2027, so HNL sees it on a rotation, not on every flight.
- The Red jet is domestic only, and the Blue jet will be domestic only too, so Green is the only one of the three that can show up in Honolulu.
ANA put its Green Pokémon Jet into service on September 18, 2026, and Honolulu got the inaugural flight. The aircraft is a Boeing 787-9 registered JA923A, and it launched as NH186 out of Tokyo Haneda after a morning unveiling at the airport. If you are flying HNL to Tokyo this winter, there is a real chance you end up on it.
What is ANA's Green Pokémon Jet?
The Green Pokémon Jet is the second of three specially painted aircraft ANA and The Pokémon Company built for a double anniversary. ANA is marking 30 years since the 1996 release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green, and 40 years since the launch of ANA international flights. ANA flew the world's first Pokémon Jet in 1998.
The Red Pokémon Jet, a Boeing 787-8 registered JA819A, entered domestic Japanese service on July 29, 2026. The Blue Pokémon Jet is a Boeing 737-800 registered JA56AN, and ANA has it scheduled for domestic routes in December 2026 or later. That makes Green the only one of the three assigned to international flying, and the only one that will ever touch Honolulu.
- The livery. Pikachu appears alongside 10 Grass-type first partner Pokémon. The left side carries Bulbasaur, Sprigatito, Chespin, and Snivy. The right side carries Turtwig, Treecko, Rowlet, Grookey, and Chikorita. A newcomer from an upcoming Pokémon title rounds out the group.
- The paint job. The work was done at MRO Japan in Naha, Okinawa, running from July 29 through September 17, 2026.
- Onboard. Economy and Premium Economy get Pokémon headrest covers. Paper cups and cocktail napkins use original designs, and commemorative boarding stickers are handed out while supplies last, one per passenger per flight.
- The debut load. NH186 pushed back from Spot 67 at Haneda Terminal 2 at 9:58 PM carrying 246 passengers plus seven infants.
The theming carries through to the cabin, so even if you are sitting in the back you will notice it.
What was the inaugural HNL schedule?
| Flight | Route | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| NH186 | Haneda (HND) to Honolulu (HNL) | 9:55 PM, Sept 18 | 10:35 AM, Sept 18 |
| NH185 | Honolulu (HNL) to Haneda (HND) | 1:55 PM, Sept 18 | 5:25 PM, Sept 19 |
Beyond launch day, ANA lists the Green Pokémon Jet across 15 main international routes out of both Tokyo hubs between September 18, 2026 and March 27, 2027. From Haneda that list includes Honolulu, Seattle, Vancouver, Sydney, Manila, Singapore, Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur. From Narita it includes Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Perth, and Mumbai.
Do not book a flight just to chase the livery. ANA publishes a list of main routes, not a locked daily aircraft assignment, and swaps happen. Check the aircraft registration on your flight a day or two out and treat a Pokémon Jet sighting as a bonus, not a plan.
How do I book ANA from Honolulu to Tokyo with points?
ANA is a Star Alliance member, so you have several ways in. The common paths for us are ANA Mileage Club directly, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, and United MileagePlus. Award pricing on all four has moved this year, so pull live numbers before you transfer anything.
- Find the seat first. Search ANA availability on United or a tool like Seats.aero, then book through whichever program prices it best that day.
- Transfer last. American Express Membership Rewards moves to both ANA Mileage Club and Virgin Atlantic. Confirm the seat exists before you move points, because transfers do not come back.
- Watch the surcharges. ANA Mileage Club bookings carry carrier-imposed fees that some partner programs avoid. Compare total cost, not just points.
I walk through the partner booking process in the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club guide, and our Fly to Japan from Hawaiʻi hub covers every carrier on the HNL to Tokyo run. If you are still building the balance, start with the best cards for Hawaiʻi residents.
Scottie's Take
I love that Honolulu got this one first. It says something about how ANA sees our route, and honestly it is a fun reminder that the flight itself can be part of the trip for the kids.
Here is what I would actually do. Do not reshuffle your travel plans around a paint job. Plan the Tokyo trip you were already thinking about, get the points positioned, and if the Green Jet shows up on your tail number, that is a free win. If you have got keiki who are into Pokémon, pull up the aircraft type the night before and let them get excited. That is the whole play.
Anybody flying NH185 or NH186 this fall, comment and let me know if you catch it. I want to see the photos.
Planning a Japan trip from the islands?
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Get Free CoachingFrequently asked questions
What is the ANA Green Pokémon Jet?
The Green Pokémon Jet is a Boeing 787-9 registered JA923A, painted with Pikachu and 10 Grass-type first partner Pokémon. It is the second of three aircraft ANA built for Pokémon's 30th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of ANA international flights. It entered service on September 18, 2026 on international routes.
Does the Pokémon Jet fly to Honolulu every day?
No. ANA lists 15 main international routes for the Green Pokémon Jet from Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita between September 18, 2026 and March 27, 2027. Honolulu is on that list but does not get the aircraft on every flight. Check your flight's aircraft registration close to departure rather than assuming.
What flight numbers did the inaugural Honolulu rotation use?
The inaugural rotation was NH186 from Haneda to Honolulu, departing 9:55 PM and arriving 10:35 AM the same date, and NH185 from Honolulu to Haneda, departing 1:55 PM and arriving 5:25 PM the following day. ANA operates additional Honolulu to Tokyo flights beyond this pair.
Can I book ANA flights from Honolulu using credit card points?
Yes. ANA is a Star Alliance carrier, so you can book through ANA Mileage Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Air Canada Aeroplan, or United MileagePlus. American Express Membership Rewards transfers to both ANA Mileage Club and Virgin Atlantic. Confirm award space before transferring, because point transfers are one way and cannot be reversed.
Will the Red or Blue Pokémon Jet come to Hawaii?
No. The Red Pokémon Jet is a Boeing 787-8 assigned to domestic routes inside Japan, and it entered service on July 29, 2026. The Blue Pokémon Jet is a Boeing 737-800 registered JA56AN, also assigned to domestic Japanese routes, with a launch scheduled for December 2026 or later. Green is the only international aircraft of the three.
Is there a Pokémon GO tie-in with these flights?
Yes, but it is based in Japan. ANA and Pokémon GO are running airport events at selected Japanese airports as part of the anniversary campaign, with PokéStops, Gyms, and timed activities. Those events are not running at Honolulu, so the HNL angle is the aircraft itself rather than the in-airport campaign.
Sources
ANA, Pokémon 30th Anniversary: Red, Green and Blue Pokémon Jet (official project page, aircraft types, registrations, and main route list).
ANA Holdings, ANA and The Pokémon Company Unveil New Aircraft Designs in Celebration of Pokémon's 30th Anniversary, May 28, 2026 (design concepts and onboard amenities).
ANA Holdings, ANA to Launch Three New Liveries for Pokémon 30th Anniversary, February 26, 2026 (three-aircraft program and route assignments).
