Hello Kitty takes flight on EVA's Taoyuan-Los Angeles route
2013/09/18 21:36:30
Taipei, Sept. 18 (CNA) Hello Kitty lifted off from Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport Wednesday for her first flight direct to Los Angeles, California.
The popular cartoon character from Japan was not a passenger, though -- she was instead painted on the plane itself and could also be found throughout the cabin, in everything from the snack items to the toilet paper.
The sixth and final addition to EVA Airways' fleet of Hello Kitty-themed jets, this Boeing 777-300ER became the first trans-Pacific flight featuring the cartoon, an occasion that the airline's chairman marked by taking up the pilot seat himself.
The plane is decked out from tip to tail with endearing characters belonging to Japan's Sanrio Co. The legendary cat is joined on the plane's fuselage by 18 of her friends, including the bunny My Melody and the angelic Little Twin Stars.
On the inside, passengers can recline on pillows and enjoy in-flight meals, all made in Hello Kitty's image.
Before getting behind the controls Wednesday, EVA Airways Chairman Chang Kuo-wei said the carrier chose to deploy the new Hello Kitty jet on the Los Angeles route because it was the first long-haul destination serviced by the company, and the U.S. city is home to one of the largest overseas Chinese communities.
Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi did not miss out on the big day, either. She was one of the flight's special guests, and offered a drawing of the simple but iconic characters before boarding to wish success to Chang and his airline.
Fans lucky enough to get tickets dressed appropriately for the occasion, toting bags and accessories with images of the cartoon cat as they boarded the plane.
The new jet will fly between Taoyuan and Los Angeles three times a week. EVA operates a total of 17 weekly flights between the two destinations.
The company's five other Hello Kitty jets in service are smaller Airbus A330 planes, which operate on regional flights to destinations including Hong Kong, Tokyo and Guam.
(By Bien Chen-feng and Kay Liu)
