Hello Kitty's 40th anniversary: purrrfect jet comes to Europe

The jet has proven to be popular among travellers worldwide since its launch from Taipei to LA last September

Look, up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Yes, it’s a plane and possibly the most adorable plane to grace the skies... It’s EVA Air’s Hello Kitty Jet with its colourfully liveried Boeing 777-300ER and it’s finally arrived in Europe.

The Taiwanese airline took its first themed long-range Hand-in-Hand Jet to France this week as part of the iconic Sanrio character’s 40th birthday. Hello Kitty fans can say bonjour to the nonstop route between Paris’ Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).

The whole experience is a result of EVA and Sanrio’s collaboration to create a charming and colourful in-flight service, and spread happiness among its passengers (pretty hard to be objective as such a massive Hello Kitty fan).

Before boarding, passengers are already treated to the plane’s lively exterior featuring an array of Sanrio characters holding hands the entire length of the aircraft. The design is a symbol of bridging cultural barriers and inviting new friendships around the world. Then the biggest treat is inside the plane, from its seats, the cheerful flight attendants’ uniforms, food, meal trays, cups, handwash, lotion, headrests, pillows, sickbags, not to mention the whole check in service - every detail of this exclusive service has got the full cute factor sporting Hello Kitty artwork.

So what’s the experience like? Well, one can only imagine that die-hard fans won’t really be able help but to admire the flight attendants’ pink aprons with whiskers; oggle at the customised meal trays; hang around the WC to check out the Hello Kitty toiletries and of course, take plenty of pictures.

The Hand-in-Hand Jet has proven to be popular among travellers worldwide since its launch on regular Taipei to Los Angeles service in September last year. The airline has operated three Hello Kitty flights a week on the route for one year while fans in Europe have persistently asked for opportunities to experience the exclusive aircraft.

EVA also flies five Airbus 330 Hello Kitty Jets, each with a different livery theme, to multiple destinations within Asia. The colorful themed jets have proven to be very successful and demand for all of these flights from travellers and fans around the world is also strong. Hopefully not too long until the route opens in the UK...

For more information visit www.evaair.com