More than 30 years after Woody and Buzz Lightyear first blasted onto cinema screens, Virgin Australia is taking the beloved franchise to the skies with the launch of a new Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5” themed aircraft.
The airline today unveiled a custom-designed Boeing 737-800 featuring fan-favourite characters Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear ahead of the film’s Australian cinema release on June 18th, marking Virgin Australia’s first co-branded aircraft livery in almost a decade.
The aircraft, which will operate across Virgin Australia’s domestic network, forms part of a broader partnership between the airline and The Walt Disney Company, with themed activations set to roll out throughout the customer journey in airports, lounges and onboard flights over the coming months.
The launch comes as airlines increasingly lean into entertainment and lifestyle collaborations to create more immersive customer experiences, particularly for families and younger travellers.
Virgin Australia Chief Marketing and Customer Operations Officer Libby Minogue said the partnership was designed to tap into the emotional connection audiences have with the long-running franchise. “’Toy Story’ has always been about more than just characters, it’s the nostalgia and joy it holds for so many people.
“Through our partnership with The Walt Disney Company Australia, we’re bringing the magic into the travel experience, creating moments of surprise and delight for our guests in a way that is distinctly Virgin Australia,” she said.
“We are always looking for new ways to bring wonderful to flying and this partnership with Disney is the start of something magical and allows us to reimagine the travel experience in new and engaging ways, while delivering greater value for our Velocity Frequent Flyer members.”
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The themed rollout will include a series of “Toy Story 5” experiences both in the air and on the ground. From June 1st, passengers travelling with Virgin Australia will receive themed giveaways including colouring packs for children, while the airline’s inflight entertainment system will feature the “Toy Story” film series alongside more than 60 Disney titles.
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A new “Toy Story 5” inflight game will also launch across domestic flights from June 15th through July 19th, with passengers able to enter a competition to win a Pixar-themed trip to Tokyo for up to four people.
On the ground, the airline is introducing ‘Toy Tickets,’ described as an Australian airline-first initiative that allows children to request personalised boarding passes for teddy bears and other soft toys travelling with them.
Additional themed experiences will appear across select airport terminals and Virgin Australia lounges, while Velocity Frequent Flyer Platinum Plus members will gain access to advance “Toy Story 5” screenings in several Australian cities.
The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director Kylie Watson-Wheeler said the collaboration would bring one of Disney and Pixar’s most enduring franchises into a new setting.
“We’re thrilled to see Disney and Pixar’s ‘Toy Story 5’ take flight with Virgin Australia in this special celebration of the film,” Watson-Wheeler said. “Our iconic Toy Story characters and story have a special place in the hearts of generations. We can’t wait to see all the magical ways this collaboration brings joy to Virgin Australia customers.”