Air Canada unveils ‘Turning Red’ themed aircraft

Air Canada has unveiled a “Turning Red” themed aircraft to celebrate the highly-anticipated release of the Disney and Pixar new animated movie set in Toronto.

Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces a 13-year-old Canadian girl named Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang), who “poofs” into a giant red panda whenever she gets too excited (which, unfortunately for her, is very often). Air Canada’s first-ever movie-themed livery will appear on a Canadian-built Airbus A220 with Mei on one side and her alter-ego Red Panda on the other.

The new animated film not only takes place in Toronto; it’s directed by the Academy Award winner for Best Animated Short Film for 2019’s “Bao” (and proud Canadian), Domee Shi.

“I’m absolutely stoked about this collaboration with Air Canada,” Shi said. “I made ‘Turning Red’ a love letter to Toronto and everything Canadian, and now to see the film celebrated on the airline that literally brought my family and me over from China when I was little is especially meaningful to me. I cannot wait for Canadian audiences and people around the world to see the film, and hopefully, fall in love with Canada just like I have.”

Starting this month, passengers onboard Air Canada aircraft will enjoy a special “Turning Red” video inspired by the film’s trailer. On select aircraft, passengers will also discover director Domee Shi’s favorite places in Toronto by exploring Air Canada’s seatback city guide, and on aircraft heading to Toronto, an animated landscape of the city will be featured on seatback screens as passengers board. In addition, the March issue of Air Canada’s enRoute magazine will feature a custom-illustrated cover depicting Mei (as the panda) looking over Toronto and an interview with Shi.

“As Canada’s largest airline and the country’s flag carrier, our collaboration with Disney and Pixar for ‘Turning Red,’ directed by award-winning Canadian filmmaker Domee Shi is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Canadian talent and bring the best of Canada to the world,” said Air Canada’s Brand Vice President Andy Shibata. “We wanted customers of all ages to be able to enjoy the special livery and be a part of the excitement around this very special Canadian moment.”

The airline is also launching a contest for residents of Canada celebrating the movie’s release with five prize packages, each featuring a trip for four people to Toronto to attend the Canadian premiere special event of the film on Mar. 8, 2022. The contest runs until Feb. 20, 2022. Click here for more information.

“We are very proud of this unique collaboration with Air Canada, and it shows how important this film is to our country,” said Quincy Kelman, vice president of marketing for Walt Disney Studios Canada. “Together, we are able to transcend this film beyond the screen. ‘Turning Red’ is set in Canada, directed by a Canadian, and will be treasured by Canadians for years to come.”

“Turning Red” will premiere exclusively on Disney+ on Mar. 11, 2022.