Last week I attended the launch event for EVA Air’s new Taipei (TPE)–Houston (IAH) service on the brand-new Hello Kitty jet. The EVA Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet is the airline’s seventh specially painted aircraft and the second using a long-range Boeing 777-300ER. EVA Air collaborated with Sanrio to tailor the livery and theme of this jet for Houston. The Texas-sized characters include Little Twin Stars Kiki and Lala with their teddy bear and Hello Kitty and My Melody riding along the stars. We watched the aircraft arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport from Taipei to a spectacular water cannon salute. We then made our way to an air-conditioned tent with stands displaying the Hello Kitty accents available on the aircraft. Everything on board is Hello Kitty, from the safety instructions and pillows to the cutlery and even the toilet paper. I dined on Asian-inspire fare, including a delicious edamame and mushroom salad, pork satays and tamarind-spiced short rib sliders. After a brief awards ceremony introducing EVA Air Chairman KW Chang and Houston aviation director Mario C. Diaz, guests were entertained by a performance by the Sanrio dancers. We then made our way to the tarmac to tour the aircraft. It is configured with 333 seats: 39 in Royal Laurel Class business, 56 in Elite premium economy and 238 in economy. Flight attendants were on hand to display sample menus — the Hello Kitty-themed food is almost too cute to eat! I hope to someday fly on one of EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jets, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for this charming partnership. — Katie Skrzek, digital director