Eva Air ruined my Hello Kitty flight, everything you need to know to try this unique experience

Those who follow TFC on social media are already aware of the "tragedy" in AVgeek sauce that I just experienced because of Eva Air.

In fact, the Taipei-based airline recently canceled my Hello Kitty flight with a machine change that resulted in me flying on an ordinary A330 and not One of the mythical planes with the iconic Sanrio characters drawn on the fuselage.

What are Hello Kitty Flight

The company has a historic agreement with Sanrio, the house that invented the Hello Kitty cartoon characters. This has led over the years to create a real object of desire to fly on one of these machines that, not only do they have Hello Kitty and other characters painted on the fuselage, but the aircraft cabins are no less: custom seats, placemats and Hello Kitty cutlery add a special touch to every passenger's comfort. Even the cabin crew wears themed uniforms, completing the magical atmosphere that makes every flight with Eva Air a treat for the eyes and soul. In addition to this If you depart from Taipei you have a gate and lounge dedicated to Hello Kitty.

How many Hello Kitty planes there are and where they fly to

A total of 6 airplanes in EVA Air's fleet have Hello Kitty uniforms.

Flying aboard the Lolly Jet of Eva Air is like entering a world of pure sweetness and joy. This livery, decorated in pastel colors and designs inspired by candy and sweets, celebrates the joy of travel by turning it into an unforgettable experience. Every detail is designed to make passengers feel like they are wrapped in a huge candy jar. It is used on a single route. flies three times a week from Taiwan to Paris flight BR87/88

This 777/300 is the latest addition to the Hello Kitty family, the Besties Jet by Eva Air celebrates the most precious bonds: those with your closest friends. This plane, decorated with Hello Kitty and her inseparable friends, is designed for those who want to share special moments while traveling. From landing to takeoff, every detail invites you to relax, explore new cities and create unforgettable memories with the people you love. It is used on a single route, flying three times a week from Taiwan to Chicago BR56/55 flight

The Pinky Jet by Eva Air is a tribute to the sweetness and beauty of travel. With its all-pink theme and details inspired by Hello Kitty. This A321 is the only narrow-body aircraft that flies these special liveries. This plane Connects Taipei daily with the Japanese city of Sendai, flight BR118/117.

Then, in addition to these three machines, there are as many A330/200s, decidedly elderly planes that, however, with this recipe, become absolutely a must for air sick people like me. These are three special liveries: BAD BADTZ-MARU Travel Fun, Joyful Dream, e Celebration Flight. Each one celebrates a unique aspect of travel: adventure, dreams, and fun.

Sanrio's most irreverent penguin, BAD BADTZ-MARU, is the protagonist of this livery. With his sun hat and camera, he is ready to explore the world. This airplane Fly daily to Clark International Airport in the Philippines.. One of the two daily flights, BR233/234, is operated on this flight, and that is the one I was supposed to fly.

An explosion of fantasy and magic with Hello Kitty, Kiki and Lala (the Little Twin Stars), Pom Pom Purin, and other members of the Sanrio family. The livery represents a magical path leading to dream destinations.

Celebration Flight, is an ode to travel, full of energy and fun, this flight celebrates the joy of travel with the whole Sanrio family. These two machines alternate daily on two routes: to Bali and to Cebu with flights BR255/256 and BR281/282

My misadventure aboard EVA Air

In the past few days I was leaving from Clark International, I had gone on purpose from Japan to the Philippines just to take one of these flights.

Upon my arrival at the airport, I checked in and received my boarding pass, in pure Hello Kitty mood.

I waited in the lounge and then checking Flightradar for the arrival of the A330 I went to the gate ready to capture the colors of the BAD BADTZ-MARU, but to my dismay I saw a plane arrive in Eva Air's official livery and not the one with the pestiferous penguin.

So I found out by searching the EVA Air website that for almost 3 months my chosen route was not operated with this plane, but with a regular plane. As stated on the site, however, it is specified that "exclusive service and onboard experience will be offered" , I thus thought okay no special plane, but inside everything as planned.

Instead, the disappointment was complete when I set foot on the plane. There was NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING about the Hello Kitty experience. There was no headrest, no Hello Kitty pillow, no special menu or crew uniforms. No special meal and the only sign of the presence of the Sanrio characters was limited to the band around the napkin.

To mitigate the disappointment, I bought myself the model of the 777 Lolly Jet Which is now on display in my office.

The Hello Kitty Gate in Taipei

One of the special features of Taipei Airport is the art inside. It is not your classic sad, monochrome place. The gates are real works of art, and one of them is, of course, dedicated to Hello Kitty.

A real spectacle and a unique thing that I have never seen anywhere else in the world, but the nice thing that in this airport every gate is different and with a different theme, really one of the best in the world in this aspect.

In conclusion

When I booked the flight I did not receive any alert informing me of the change of machine, had I seen the flight operated with a different plane I would have been suspicious, but that was not the case. No Hello Kitty experience and to say that to get the most I had chosen to fly businss class on a flight of less than 2 hours, when I could have done it comfortably in economy.