Star Alliance member EVA Air has long operated special Hello Kitty flights, which I’d consider to be one of the coolest aviation concepts in the world. Unfortunately at the start of the pandemic, this was suspended. There’s a positive development on that front, as noted by Thrifty Traveler. EVA Air has just resumed its Hello Kitty service… nature really is healing!
In this post:
The basics of EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flights
EVA Air has a partnership with Hello Kitty, whereby the airline operates select flights as Hello Kitty services. Obviously this is intended to be something that passengers — both young and old — get excited about.
So, what makes these flights special? For one, the aircraft are painted in special Hello Kitty liveries, with different Hello Kitty jets having different characters featured.
But the experience goes so far beyond that. For one, at Taoyuan International Airport, EVA Air has a special Hello Kitty check-in and gate area.
Onboard, the service has also been modified to match what Hello Kitty herself would probably enjoy (no, there’s no cat food, don’t worry). The meal service has been Hello Kitty-fied, from rose champagne, to mixed nuts in Hello Kitty packaging, to Hello Kitty napkins, to Hello Kitty foie gras, to Hello Kitty airsick bags (in case her food doesn’t sit well with you).
Even the pillows, slippers, menus, and toilet paper, are Hello Kitty themed.
The flight attendants also seem to enjoy these flights, and have special Hello Kitty aprons and uniforms.
Honestly, regardless of whether or not you’re a Hello Kitty fan, you’ll no doubt appreciate just how committed EVA Air is to the theme.
I’d note that there’s nothing quite like this in the world. While other airlines also have special themed planes (ANA and United both have Star Wars themed aircraft), those seem to mostly revolve around the liveries, and the actual inflight experience doesn’t differ much.
Read my review of an EVA Air Hello Kitty flight here.
EVA Air Hello Kitty flights & routes
EVA Air has just resumed its Hello Kitty service on three routes, including one route to the United States.
As of March 27, 2023, EVA Air is offering Hello Kitty flights on three weekly frequencies between Taipei (TPE) and Chicago (ORD). This route is operated by the Hello Kitty “Shining Star” Boeing 777-300ER. With this route having three weekly frequencies, that means all flights to & from Chicago have this special service.
As of April 1, 2023, EVA Air is offering Hello Kitty flights from Taipei (TPE) to both Bali (DPS) and Sapporo (CTS). Both of these routes are operated by the “Joyful Dream” and “Celebration Flight” Airbus A330-300s. The Hello Kitty frequencies on these routes vary, and you check the timetable to see exactly when a particular flight will be operated by one of these aircraft.
Note that there’s not an extra cost to take a Hello Kitty flight. The pricing should match what you’ll find on other routes, it’s just a function of a particular route being operated by this aircraft. EVA Air is pretty good about not swapping planes at the last minute, so you can expect that if your route is intended to be operated by this aircraft, then that’s in fact what will happen.
Bottom line
EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flights are so fun, regardless of whether or not you’re a Hello Kitty fan. You’ve gotta appreciate when a company goes all-in on a theme, and that’s very much the feeling you’ll get on a Hello Kitty flight.
After a hiatus of over three years, this service has finally been resumed. I can’t wait to fly on EVA Air (and ideally a Hello Kitty jet) again!
What do you make of EVA Air’s Hello Kitty service?
I live in Toronto & too bad no hello kitty plane here and l love sanrio characters hope you’ll launch it here soon to Cebu
I love your service - been on it twice leaving next wk using your services again.
It is one thing if the plane is painted with a character due to a partnership but that is a bit much of the character and when choosing the flight to take they do not mention that it will be one of those flights for those people who think that the theme is a bit over the top.
Super cool flights!
I have flown the Bali Hello Kitty route a few times, in Royal Laurel and Economy, and it is so damn adorable! It's totally worth it!
Absolutely bizarre! Imagine ending up on one of these flights not knowing it was going to be the theme!
Didn't get the hint at the gate before boarding?
I did not get the hint yesterday. First thing I noticed was the livery. Even then I totally missed out on the meal service anyway as I was asleep. The only really things I noticed in flight was the artwork and videos, and then later the card came present. And while deboarding I noticed the slippers had artwork as well. There was no branding of the toilet paper or toiletries as far as I could tell, maybe they are slow to restock.
YAAAS
When will any airlines have a Gundam-themed flight?
Gundam, as cool as they are, in today's PC world would promote violence.
Gundams also get shot at, crash, and burn not a good idea for a commercial airliner.
The next generations PC characters need to be cute and harmless.
Well since I saw someone below post about a Star Wars themed flight I figured Gundam would be fair game. I know back in the day (before my big travels era) ANA would have special edition Gundam kits for sale, would give me an excuse to chase an ANA flight.
Lots of the PC generation grew up as a Star Wars fan, they will turn a blind eye, and even ignore facts. Just like the proxy war overseas.
When it comes to propaganda fans, even if Han shoot first, they 'woke' and made it PC.
Or the lack of Asian character screen time or role in the original trilogy, which miraculously appear in the galaxy far far away under Disney, a PC company...
Lots of the PC generation grew up as a Star Wars fan, they will turn a blind eye, and even ignore facts. Just like the proxy war overseas.
When it comes to propaganda fans, even if Han shoot first, they 'woke' and made it PC.
Or the lack of Asian character screen time or role in the original trilogy, which miraculously appear in the galaxy far far away under Disney, a PC company who had to fight with a certain governor 'to say g...'.
Or the sexist portrayal of Jabba the Hutt, who seems to be a pervert and dress down his prisoner.
So yes, Star Wars gets a pass. Just like WMDs we never found, or the hospital airstrikes then hardly made the news. All because we're trying to topple a regime far far away that took 2 weeks to undo 20 years.
Can't say that about Gundam.
Sounds great for small children but I hate pink and hate small children. Lol! Kidding!
Truly outrageous
Adding “Hello Kitty foie gras” to my list of phrases I’d never expect to ever hear
I took in 2019 the Hello Kitty Shinkansen train form Osaka to Kobe with my 2 young kids and I was strangely super excited when I was the bullet train all in hello kitty theme absolutely superb.
Good timing Ben! I literally just got off the Hello Kitty A330-300 from CTS to TPE. I have to say I kinda enjoyed the little themed bits, including a little card game they were giving away and the videos. Compared to the adds now played on all major US airlines on the PTVs, the theming was totally non-intrusive and I actually enjoyed it.
Kawaii Imagine a serious businessperson ending up on one of these flights lol
Mind you I have Doraemon baggage tag
When I took ANA Star Wars themed 789 (R2-D2 livery) in pre-COVID day, at least headrest cover and napkins came with R2D2 features. Also CA proactively offered to take a photo of passengers with Master Yoda doll.
I flew on the R2DR ANA last September in business, they gave out commemorative plastic boarding cards, candy, and the lead FA walked around with Yoda at the end. Definitely memorable.
I flew SIN-NRT on the R2D2 jet in 2018. Can confirm they did all of these and it was awesome. I gave away the card to a kid, but still have my photo with the Yoda doll.