You think I'm kidding, don't you? It's not actually new news, but EVA Air apparently has a few Sanrio-sponsored Hello Kitty™ international jets, fully kitt(en)ed out from nose to tail, complete with themed attendant costumes, meals, and so on.

EVA repeated the livery theme inside the cabin by creating a Hello Kitty fantasy with sweet Hello Kitty paintings on the walls, and by outfitting flight attendants with Hello Kitty ribbons for their hair and Hello Kitty aprons. Passengers booked on EVA’s Hello Kitty Jet will get pink Hello Kitty boarding passes and luggage tags. Onboard, they will enjoy a series of inflight Hello Kitty service accessories, Hello Kitty meals, and have access to exclusive EVA Air Hello Kitty duty-free shopping.

I know I'm not the only one that thinks the CTA Pink Line missed out on a valuable co-branding opportunity.

UPDATE: I started wondering if HK's American counterpart, Mickey Mouse, ever had his own airliner...apparently in 2003 Alaska Airlines decorated one of their 737's, "The Spirit of Disneyland," with a cheery Mickey on the tail, Goofy along the fuselage...and Minnie cheerfully plastered on the nosecone. No sign of maximum Mousetude: no costumed attendants or mouse-shaped maki* rolls in evidence, so Hello Kitty wins this round of true cartoon character madness.

* Check out the Rojaks Daily link below for some fantastic photos of Helly Kitty in-flight bento boxes, many of which include an adorable item that looks a slice of fish cake (not quite narutomaki, but sort of kamaboko-millefiore, if you will) cheerfully colored to look like Her Nibs face. I mean, Minnie doesn't look 'plastered,' but...oh, hell, never mind.

[via Feministe >> Rojaks Daily [great pics here of HK inflight meals, merch, etc.] >> EVA Air >> EVAKITTY]

Labels: hellokitty

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