EVA Air's newest Hello Kitty plane launches service from Chicago

29.08.2024 - 22:02 / thepointsguy.com / Eva Air

Taiwan-based airline EVA Air is back with a "sweet and joyful" tradition — and one of the more interesting inflight experiences you'll ever see.

The carrier this week debuted its latest aircraft adorned in Hello Kitty livery. The decked-out Boeing 777-300ER touched down Wednesday night at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD), and it will be making three weekly appearances at the hub going forward.

This freshly painted 777 is EVA's fourth Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, and this one is nicknamed the "Besties Jet." Like prior generations of the cartoon-centric plane, this wide-body features several famous Sanrio characters, from Hello Kitty herself to My Melody and Kuromi.

Unlike some of the other eccentric liveries you'll see on the exteriors of commercial planes, the Hello Kitty theme runs much deeper than a paint job. It shows up in almost every aspect of the inflight service.

Fittingly, the jet arrived to significant fanfare in Chicago on Wednesday night. It started with a water salute as the aircraft pulled up to the gate, and there were excited gasps from travelers and fans as they got their first glimpse of the jet.

But that was only the beginning of the party.

Inside O'Hare's Terminal 5, shades of pink, bright lights, music and food made the occasion unmistakable.

This was not your average inaugural flight gateside party.

EVA Air, known for its high-end inflight meal service, offered passengers a taste of its culinary team's skills with a mouthwatering array of hors d'oeuvres.

EVA's catering team offered dishes like savory scallops with celeriac mousseline, purple cauliflower with romesco sauce, bresaola and asparagus with creme fraiche, and savory lobster with leek mousseline. Not to mention, there was a scrumptious array of elaborate desserts.

Then there was the Hello Kitty stuff ... lots of it.

The carrier showed off the complimentary and duty-free items available on these themed flights, including Hello Kitty headrest covers and slippers for passengers in each cabin. (The black ones are for business class.)

Custom-designed place settings are used for the meal service, and special Hello Kitty boxes are even available for the children's meals. During gateside remarks, EVA President Clay Sun — who traveled to Chicago for the event — said those are a particular favorite.

"I think over the years, passengers enjoy riding on EVA's Hello Kitty jet very much. They have been captivated by the design and onboard amenities — especially the charming children's meals," Sun said.

He let the audience in on an "internal secret."

"Some of the adults, when they make a booking, they say, 'Oh, I want the child's meal,'" Sun said. "They say, 'Well, because it's very, very cute.'"

EVA's first Besties Jet