This OAV and Macross 7 (1994) were the result of Big West giving Shôji Kawamori an unlimited budget in return for him finally making another Macross production. Kawamori set only one condition: he would not revisit the original main trio of the first TV series (Hikaru, Misa and Minmay).
Despite Sharon Apple being a fictional character, Yoko Kanno released a 4-song CD in Japan credited to her. This CD, 'Sharon Apple: The Cream P.U.F', contained 2 songs not available on either of the original soundtracks - 'Information High' and 'The Borderline'.
Several voice actors from Robotech (1985) were cast in the English dub. These voice actors include Richard Epcar (Ben Dixon in Robotech, Guld Goa Bowman in Macross Plus), Dan Woren (Roy Fokker in robotech, Yang Neuman in Macross Plus), Melora Harte (Musica in Robotech, Sharon Apple in Macross Plus), and Edie Mirman (Miriya in Robotech, Kate Massaeu in Macross Plus)
The competition between General Galaxy and Shinsei Industry is meant as a parallel to the real-life competition that was held between Lockheed and Northrop to determine the newest tactical air fighter, the YF-22 or YF-23. The YF-19 valkyrie in macross plus retains several design features of earlier craft, as did the real YF-22, while being cutting-edge. The YF-21 valkyrie's design was heavily influenced by the real YF-23, and both share the stigma of being grand departures from what is considered "standard" aeronautical design in both real and animated worlds.
The song Kate sings at the holographic karaoke bar is "Watashi no kare wa PAIROTTO" (My Boyfriend is a Pilot), which was one of Lynn Minmay's signature songs from the original TV series Chohjikuu Yosai Macross.