Key Points

• ANA is launching two Pokémon-themed Boeing 787s to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary, with Pokémon Jet Red beginning domestic Japan service in late July 2026 and Pokémon Jet Green serving international routes at a date still to be confirmed.
• Your fastest path to these flights is transferring American Express Membership Rewards to ANA Mileage Club at a 1:1 ratio, with round-trip business class from the U.S. West Coast to Japan starting at 75,000 miles in low season.
• A third aircraft, Pokémon Jet Blue, is confirmed and in development, rounding out the classic Red/Green/Blue trilogy and giving points collectors extra time to earn miles before the full lineup takes flight.

Thirty years ago, a small Japanese company released two video games that would become a global phenomenon. ANA is marking that anniversary in the most on-brand way possible: brand-new Pokémon Jets. Japan's largest airline has partnered again with The Pokémon Company to repaint two Boeing 787s and build out a full in-cabin experience to match. For points collectors who also grew up catching them all, this is the kind of trip that belongs on the bucket list. If Japan is already on your radar, our guide to the best ways to fly Japan with points covers every program worth considering. Here's what's new, and exactly how to position yourself to get there.

What's Actually Taking Off

ANA announced two new aircraft under the collaboration, with a third already confirmed.

Pokémon Jet Red is a Boeing 787-8 assigned to domestic routes within Japan. It's scheduled to enter service at the end of July 2026. The exterior centers on Pikachu alongside fire-type Pokémon, a nod to the starter choice that defined many a childhood.

Pokémon Jet Green is a Boeing 787-9 that will serve international routes. ANA hasn't confirmed a launch date yet. Its design pairs Pikachu with grass-type Pokémon from across the game series.

Then there's Pokémon Jet Blue, confirmed but not yet detailed. It completes the red/green/blue color scheme that fans of the original releases will immediately recognize. In Japan, the franchise launched in 1996 as Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. The rest of the world received Red and Blue. This collaboration honors both histories.

What You'll Experience Onboard

ANA isn't stopping at a fresh paint job. Both aircraft include a full suite of themed cabin touches:

• Vibrant Pokémon headrest covers featuring the Pokémon from each jet's exterior design, available in Economy on domestic flights and in Economy and Premium Economy on international routes
• Exclusive commemorative boarding stickers for each flight (design details to be revealed closer to launch)
• Limited-edition cups carrying the 30th anniversary logo, available in Economy and Premium Economy on both domestic and international flights
• Custom cocktail napkins featuring the collaboration and anniversary logos, available on international flights across Economy, Premium Economy, and Business

Worth flagging: the headrest covers are for in-flight use only and won't be going home with you.

How to Book These Flights With Points

This is where the news gets genuinely useful. ANA runs one of the best frequent flyer programs in the world, and you may already hold the currency to use it.

For international flights (Pokémon Jet Green): The clearest path is ANA Mileage Club, which uses a published award chart rather than dynamic pricing. That means predictable costs before you commit. American Express Membership Rewards transfer directly to ANA Mileage Club at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers take roughly 48 hours, so plan accordingly. Round-trip business class from the U.S. West Coast to Japan starts at 75,000 ANA miles in low season, which is exceptional value by any measure.

The Amex cards that earn Membership Rewards fastest include the Amex Platinum (5x on flights and prepaid hotels), the Amex Gold Card (4x at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets), and the Blue Business Plus (2x on the first $50,000 in annual spending with no annual fee). If you're not already holding one of these, now is a reasonable time to look seriously at the category.

For domestic Japan flights (Pokémon Jet Red): ANA Mileage Club covers domestic Japan awards as well. United MileagePlus is another option, since ANA is a Star Alliance member and United allows you to book ANA-operated flights as partner awards. Both programs work; ANA Mileage Club will typically give you better per-mile value on Japan routes.

One honest caveat: Award bookings don't guarantee a specific aircraft. ANA publishes which routes each jet serves, but schedules shift. If flying a specific Pokémon aircraft matters to you, build in date flexibility and check the schedule regularly once it's live on ANA's site.

The Bigger Picture

This collaboration sits inside a larger initiative called the Pokémon Air Adventures Project, which already includes Pokémon-themed partnerships with China Airlines, Skymark, Scoot, and t'way Air across Asia. ANA also continues operating its Pikachu Jet and Eevee Jet alongside the new additions. Our guide to the best credit cards for flights to Japan breaks down which cards give you the most flexibility across all these programs.

If you're building a points strategy around Asia travel in 2026 or 2027, Pokémon-themed flights have become a legitimate itinerary option, not just a novelty. That's a real change from where things stood five years ago.

Bottom Line

ANA's new Pokémon Jets are a well-executed collaboration on one of the best-operated airlines in the world. The in-cabin experience is thoughtful, the routes are useful, and the award booking path is straightforward for anyone already earning Amex Membership Rewards. Pokémon Jet Blue is still on the way, which means this story has more chapters ahead.

If Japan is on your radar for the next year or two, start building now.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do ANA's Pokémon Jets start flying?Pokémon Jet Red begins domestic Japan service at the end of July 2026. Pokémon Jet Green's international launch date has not been announced. Pokémon Jet Blue is still in development with no date confirmed.

How many ANA miles do I need to fly on a Pokémon Jet?It depends on the route. For international flights, round-trip business class from the U.S. West Coast to Japan starts at 75,000 ANA miles in low season. Domestic Japan awards cost significantly fewer miles. See our full ANA Mileage Club guide for a complete breakdown by region.

Can I transfer credit card points to ANA Mileage Club?Yes. American Express Membership Rewards transfer to ANA Mileage Club at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers are not instant and typically take around 48 hours to post, so don't wait until award space is about to disappear.

Will I definitely fly on a Pokémon Jet if I book an ANA award?Not necessarily. Specific aircraft aren't guaranteed on award bookings. You can monitor ANA's published route assignments for each jet and book with date flexibility to improve your chances.

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