Among all the special liveries in commercial aviation, one fleet stands out for its adorable and soothing appearance, rich cultural meaning, and a special place in aviation enthusiasts’ hearts — All Nippon Airways’ A380 fleet named Flying Honu. These turtle-decorated superjumbos are the only Airbus A380s ever operated by ANA. More than just aircraft connecting Tokyo and Hawaii, they are airborne works of art carrying Hawaiian charm, instantly recognizable and one-of-a-kind.
Many wonder why ANA chose the green turtle as the theme for its massive A380s. The design draws deeply on Hawaiian culture. In Hawaii, the green sea turtle is called Honu, a sacred symbol of good fortune, longevity, protection and safe travels. Ancient Hawaiian legends tell that Honu serves as a spiritual bridge between the ocean and land, nature and humanity, guarding all voyagers. ANA has long operated flights between Tokyo and Honolulu. To match the island vibe of this long-haul route and deliver wishes for safe journeys, the airline created the Flying Honu livery series, turning these A380s into the signature ambassador for its Hawaii service.
ANA took delivery of three A380s, all painted with Honu liveries but each with a unique colour palette inspired by Hawaiian scenery. Every aircraft has its own character.
The first airframe, JA381A, is the Sky Blue Honu. Its pale blue fuselage evokes Hawaii’s clear skies, paired with subtle Honu graphics. Calm and elegant, it symbolises smooth flights under cloudless skies and was the first Flying Honu to enter service.
The second aircraft, JA382A, is the Emerald Green Honu. Its fresh turquoise colour is inspired by Hawaii’s coastal waters. The smiling Honu outline and gradient ocean tones bring to mind sparkling tropical seas, full of vitality.
The third jet, JA383A, the Sunset Orange Honu, is the most eye-catching of the trio. Warm orange hues capture Hawaii’s famous coastal sunsets. The gentle facial lines and big round eyes of the Honu painted near the nose look wonderfully endearing, making this sunset turtle a firm favourite among aviation fans.
Beyond the famous exterior paintwork, the cabins of these A380s are custom-designed around the Hawaiian island theme. As a double-decker superjumbo, the aircraft features a light, tropical luxury interior decorated with Honu, ocean and beach motifs. Cabin colours echo the three exterior shades of blue, green and orange. Spacious seats and the generous space of the two-deck layout bring premium comfort for passengers on the long trans-Pacific crossing, immersing travellers in an island atmosphere throughout the flight.
The three Flying Honu A380s entered service from 2019, operating the flagship route between Tokyo Narita and Honolulu. Special themed liveries on A380 superjumbos are rare worldwide, and a complete set of three aircraft sharing the same core concept with distinct colour variations is absolutely unique.
As the aviation industry evolves, the four-engine A380 has been gradually retired by many airlines, making ANA’s Flying Honu fleet increasingly precious. Blending aviation engineering with Hawaiian culture, these airborne turtles remain one of the most iconic special liveries in aviation history. Each time they take off and soar across the Pacific, these “turtles in the sky” continue their gentle story of sky and islands, leaving countless passengers with warm and unforgettable flight memories.