All Nippon Airways · Narita to Honolulu
In Hawaiian mythology, the green sea turtle (Honu) is a sacred guardian spirit that brings good fortune and safe passage across the seas. When Japan's ANA ordered three A380s exclusively for its leisure corridor between Tokyo Narita and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, they chose the turtle as their symbol.
Each aircraft took 21 continuous days to paint at the Airbus paint shop in Hamburg, consuming 3,300 litres of paint across 16 different shades to render the friendly smiling turtle eyes, shell markings, and flippers across the 73-metre fuselage.
ANA didn't just paint one plane. They commissioned three distinct character liveries, each representing a different aspect of Hawaiian paradise and carrying its own unique personality.
Unit 01 · JA381A · Blue Sky
Delivered in March 2019. Painted in Hawaiian sky blue with open, cheerful turtle eyes. Inaugurated the Honolulu service with traditional ukulele boarding melodies and tropical cabin lighting.
Unit 02 · JA382A · Emerald Ocean
Delivered in May 2019. Dressed in deep emerald and seafoam turquoise to represent the Pacific waters, featuring gentle smiling feminine eyes and a serene expression across the nose.
Unit 03 · JA383A · Sunset Orange
The final A380 delivered to ANA in October 2021. Radiates glowing orange and marigold inspired by Hawaiian sunsets over Oahu, distinguished by delicate long eyelashes on the turtle eye.
ANA didn't stop with exterior paint. The interior was completely re-architected for families holidaying with young children.
The rear of the main deck features 60 seats configured as ANA COUCHii — the first couch seat concept introduced by a Japanese carrier. Footrests fold up flat to the seat cushions, creating a continuous 3-seat or 4-seat flat surface for toddlers to nap or play on.
Dedicated Multi-Purpose Rooms were built on the main deck, equipped with nappy-changing benches, full-length mirrors, and nursing seats away from the main aisles.
Even the cabin lighting program simulates a 24-hour cycle: sunrises over Waikiki at boarding, starlight skies across the night cruise, and warm orange tropical sunsets as descent begins into Oahu.
Emirates Wildlife Conservation
Emirates wrapped four A380s in high-resolution decals of endangered rhinos, elephants, gorillas, and tigers. Spanning 40 metres across the fuselage, the decals aimed to raise global awareness against the illegal wildlife trade.
Over 800 flying hours per month across 6 continents
Airbus MSN 001
The very first prototype A380 never entered airline service. Instead, F-WWOW remains active today based in Toulouse, France, serving as Airbus's aerodynamic and hydrogen engine demonstration testbed (the ZEROe programme).
Flying continuously since 27 April 2005
Explore the engineering specifications and architectural overview.
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