Taiwanese carrier EVA Air is adding a new Hello Kitty jetliner to their fleet. The Hello Kitty-themed airplane will fly nonstop between Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.
The Hello Kitty service will begin in summer 2015 , according to the Houston Chronicle . The exterior of the plane will be painted with Kitty White and other famous Sanrio characters holding hands. On the plane’s interior, seat backs, food trays, drink coasters, and even luggage tags will show the designs.
Happy good day Eva Air edisi Hello Kitty Sanrio family ??? [pic] — https://t.co/9YsT9zvmrg
— Asry IstiQomah (@asRyIstiQomah) December 16, 2014
EVA Air also has flown Hello Kitty planes in services to Los Angeles and Paris. Earlier themed planes rotated on short ranged trips and through different regional routes. The new plane will be delivered in May and start flying in June.
Flights to Asia are becoming more popular, says the Houston aviation director, Mario Diaz.
“Air travel to Asia is growing at a faster rate than any other region served by the Houston Airport System. EVA Air recognizes the unrestrained potential that’s currently found in both Houston’s dynamic economy and its diverse population.”
The airline uses familiar brands to comfort and attract customers, according to Betsy Gelb, who is a marketing professor at the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
“People want the comfort of the familiar. What they are doing is borrowing a familiar brand and associating themselves with it. These international carriers may not be as familiar to many of their passengers.”
The Houston Business Journal writes that the Hello Kitty plane will seat 333 people and will provide WiFi access. The plane will fly its route three times a week for its first month, then increase to four flights between the two cities on July 1.
REVIEW – Hello Kitty Flight, EVA Air ( TPE – LAX ) http://t.co/7MVZbu2iyv / ?????? pic.twitter.com/T6uOEc2sE4 — ???????? (@ffranceee) December 2, 2014
The theme of EVA Air’s “Hand in Hand” Hello Kitty jet continues on board with the toiletries, cutlery & even the food pic.twitter.com/ZUGGLVOfF4
— Hume Whitehead (@HumeWhitehead) November 24, 2014
Special Hello Kitty toys, gear, and news have popped up recently in celebration of Hello Kitty’s fortieth anniversary, as covered by the Inquisitr . The Los Angeles convention attracted nearly 25,000 fans over four days. Hello Kitty cafes have sprouted up worldwide. Hello Kitty even sparked a recent debate over whether or not the character is actually a cat.
Has anyone experienced a Hello Kitty flight on Eva Air? I mean.. just LOOK!! #hellokitty #yesplease #kawaii pic.twitter.com/OmgmQB9ET8
— skoshbox (@skoshbox) November 18, 2014
[Photo Source: The Design Air]
