ANA's Green Pokémon Jet Debuts on the Honolulu Route
As of September 2026 · 3 min read
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- ANA's second Pokémon-themed aircraft of 2026, the Green Pokémon Jet, flew its first commercial service to Honolulu on September 18, 2026.
- The aircraft is a Boeing 787-9 registered JA923A, and it is the only one of the three Pokémon jets configured for long-haul international routes.
- It debuted as NH186 from Tokyo Haneda to Honolulu, then turned around as NH185 back to Haneda.
- The jet is scheduled across roughly 15 international routes through March 27, 2027, so HNL gets it on a rotation, not on every flight.
- For us at home, the practical angle is that ANA is a Star Alliance carrier, so Amex Membership Rewards and a few partner programs can get you into that cabin.
ANA put its new 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 ceremony. 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, and why did it come to Honolulu first?
The Green Pokémon Jet is the second of three specially painted aircraft ANA and The Pokémon Company built for Pokémon's 30th anniversary, which also lines up with ANA's 40th anniversary of international flying. Honolulu got the debut because it is one of ANA's signature international routes out of Haneda.
The Red Pokémon Jet entered domestic service in July, and a Blue Pokémon Jet follows later this winter, a nod to the original Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue games. Green is the only one of the three configured for long-haul international routes.
- The livery. Grass-type starters run across both sides of the fuselage, including Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig, Snivy, Chespin, Rowlet, Grookey, and Sprigatito.
- The cabin. Themed headrest covers, cups, plush toys, and Pokémon media in the entertainment system.
- The debut load. NH186 pushed back at 9:58 PM carrying 246 passengers plus seven infants.
What was the inaugural HNL schedule?
| Flight | Route | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|
| NH186 | Haneda (HND) to Honolulu (HNL) | 9:55 PM | 10:35 AM |
| NH185 | Honolulu (HNL) to Haneda (HND) | 1:55 PM | 5:25 PM next day |
Beyond launch day, the Green Pokémon Jet is scheduled across ANA's international network out of both Tokyo hubs between September 18, 2026 and March 27, 2027. That route pool includes Honolulu, Seattle, Vancouver, Sydney, Manila, Singapore, Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur from Haneda, plus Narita routes.
Do not book a flight just to chase the livery. Aircraft swaps happen, and this jet rotates across roughly 15 routes. 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 most 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 been moving 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. Amex Membership Rewards moves to both ANA Mileage Club and Virgin Atlantic. Confirm the seat is there before you move points, because transfers do not come back.
- Watch the surcharges. ANA Mileage Club bookings carry carrier-imposed fees that partner programs sometimes avoid. Compare total cost, not just points.
I walk through the full 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 point 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.
That said, 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.
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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 Grass-type Pokémon for Pokémon's 30th anniversary and ANA's 40th anniversary of international service. It entered service on September 18, 2026 and is the only one of ANA's three anniversary jets configured for long-haul international flying.
Does the Pokémon Jet fly to Honolulu every day?
No. The Green Pokémon Jet is scheduled across roughly 15 international routes from both Tokyo Haneda and Tokyo Narita between September 18, 2026 and March 27, 2027. Honolulu is in that rotation but does not get the aircraft on every flight. Check your specific flight's aircraft registration close to departure.
What flight numbers does ANA use between Honolulu and Tokyo Haneda?
The inaugural Green Pokémon Jet rotation was NH186 from Haneda to Honolulu, departing 9:55 PM and arriving 10:35 AM, and NH185 from Honolulu to Haneda, departing 1:55 PM and arriving 5:25 PM the following day. ANA operates additional HNL 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.
Are there other Pokémon Jets?
Yes. The Red Pokémon Jet, a Boeing 787-8, entered domestic Japanese service in July 2026 and features Fire-type Pokémon. A Blue Pokémon Jet is scheduled to follow later in winter 2026. The three names reference the original Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue game releases.
Is the Pokémon theming only on the outside of the plane?
No. ANA has also added themed cabin touches on the Pokémon Jets, including headrest covers, cups, plush items, and Pokémon content in the inflight entertainment system. Specific onboard items can vary by route and by flight, so treat them as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
