Director Shinobu Yaguchi stands in front of an ANA aircraft. Photo from ANA.

ANA lends aircraft for new film 'Happy Flight'

Wednesday 23rd April, 01:46 PM JST

TOKYO —

All Nippon Airways (ANA) is supporting Japan’s first aircraft panic film, “Happy Flight,” providing a Boeing 747 aircraft for free for the film about an emergency flight. It is rare for airlines to cooperate with films about plane accidents or near disasters, but an ANA spokesperson said that director Shinobu Yaguchi shows the staff in a positive light.

“We have about 500 staff involved in the film,” the spokesperson said. “They include pilots, cabin attendants and ground staff. Our chairman, president and all of the staff were happy to support the project.”

The story takes place on a chartered flight from Tokyo to Hawaii. It stars Seichi Tanabe, 39, and Haruka Ayase, 23. ANA will provide an aircraft for 15 days for free, and allow scenes to be filmed on a real flight between Tokyo and Osaka.

Yaguchi, who researched for two years how airline staff cope with emergency cases such as unruly passengers, medical crises and hijack attempts, said, “I would like to make this as realistic as possible so that not only audiences but also those who work in airline industry can enjoy the film.”

The film will be released on Nov 11.

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8 Comments

rjd_jr at 02:18 PM JST - 23rd April

I pray there are no scenes of 'Middle Eastern' terrorists trying to hijack this plane.
romulus3 at 02:42 PM JST - 23rd April

I pray there are no scenes whatsoever for this movie.
some14some at 02:56 PM JST - 23rd April

ANA will provide an aircraft for 15 days for free..Oh, so that increase in surcharge was for this specific purpose?!
Tatanka at 03:52 PM JST - 23rd April

You know the film is bogus when they shoot scenes in Economy Class (aka the cattle car) that have enough leg room to play a soccer match...
gogogo at 05:03 PM JST - 23rd April

Happy flight? What kind of bubble gum are they chewing?
spiderman at 05:17 PM JST - 23rd April

ANA will show how good their staff are in attending passengers... offered it free for their own advantage... kinda wise move...
newsboy at 02:40 AM JST - 24th April

Anyone remember Good Luck!! same kind of deal, ANA gets tons of exposure and make money off of good promotional tie ins...
DenshaDeGO at 10:50 PM JST - 26th April

I'll wait for this one to come to video ... then not rent it.