Welcome to my return flight of EVA Air's BR858 flight!
*Aircraft and cabin photos are credited to the respective photographers from Airliners.net
For my part 1: Please Click
When I flew with this airline, the airline was operating only 3 Hello Kitty Jets, now it is operating 7 and that will be the final number. The CEO has mentioned that he doesn't want the public to think they are flying on Hello Kitty airlines!
History of Hello Kitty Jets
Sanrio and EVA Air collaborate to promote the branding of 'Hello Kitty' on the Taiwanese airline aeroplanes. It all started in 2005 and lasted in 2008 for the first generation. Fortunately for the Hello Kitty fans, the Hello Kitty jets came back in newer livery from 2011 till today. Here are some photos of the Hello Kitty Jets.
*Photos are credited to the respective photographers from airliners.net
Date: 13th March 2012
Routing: HKG-TPE
Seat number: 49A (Empty seat beside mine)
Aircraft type: Airbus A330-302X
My 6th ride on this aircraft type and the 3rd airline to have flown on.
1st time on B-16331
Line number: 1254
Plane delivered: 22-09-2011
Registration: B-16331
Engines: 2x GE CF6-80E1A4B
Configuration: C30Y279
Flight duration: 1 hr 10 mins
Scheduled departure time: 2105
Actual departure time: 2015
Scheduled arrival time: 2240
Actual arrival time: 2230
FL: 400
Load factor for Y class: 80%
Departure gate: 36
Arrival gate: C10
Departure runway: 07R
Arrival runway: 05L
Photos of my aircraft, B-16331
Introduction
Initially, I was supposed to fly out on the 12th March, I decided to stay for one more day. If I left on that day, I would have flown on the same aircraft (B-16332). Not only I had a day extra, but I also got to fly on a different aircraft back. It was a great decision! No charges for the change of flight, that's one of the good things I like flying with this carrier. When I flew with this airline, it was not in the star alliance.
In-flight service
The service onboard this flight was better than the previous. Smiling faces and cheerful greetings from the majority of the crews caught me by surprise. Even though this was the return leg, they made every effort to assist the passengers. Fast to respond to calls from passengers and was cordial to me when I passed by some of them. Among my flights with this airline so far, this has to be the best.
The food, on the other hand, was average. There was no food option for this short sector, still nice to have a hot meal this short sector, so no complaints there. As for the chicken sauce, it was pretty salty even with the rice it wasn't much of a help. Overall, I don't like this meal.
Conclusion
Flying the Hello Kitty Jet is definitely an experience for both neutral and Hello Kitty fans. There will be some avoiding these aircraft and the "kitties" on board. Personally, I have to give both Sanrio and EVA Air lots of credit to attract the public and the best thing of all, no extra charges to fly on this aircraft. There are also freebies to collect which makes flying on the EVA Air Kitty Jet aircraft even more exciting for some, so if you have plans to fly on the Hello Kitty route, go ahead and give it a try. I appreciate the airline has also done some improvements on the website and in-flight service. Hopefully, this airline fulfill its potential by becoming one of the best airlines in the world!
EVA Air's Hello Kitty Schedule
Here is the link to the flight routes and schedule.
Current routes (Updated in July 2015):
From Taipei Songshan
- BR772/771 Shanghai Hongqiao and back (B-16331 or B-16333)
- BR192/190 Tokyo Haneda and back (B-16331)
- BR191/189 Tokyo Haneda and back (B-16333)
From Taipei Taoyuan
- BR858/857 Hong Kong and back (B-16309)
- BR20/19 Guam and back (B-16311)
- BR160/159 Seoul and back (B-16332)
- BR106/105 Fukuoka and back (B-16332)
- BR116/115 Sapporo and back (B-16311)
- BR198/197 Tokyo Narita and back (B-16309)
- BR88/87 Paris and back (B-16703)
- BR216/215 Singapore and back (B-16722)
- BR52/52 Houston and back (B-16722)
Credit goes to the airline's website.
Do take note that aircraft can be changed at any time due to operational requirements.
For more information, please click here.
Click here for my part 1.
For my Hello Kitty B-16722 Part 1 Trip Report, click here
For my Hello Kitty B-16722 Part 2 Trip Report, click here
My rating:
Website (2004): 9/10 (Excellent)
On-ground service: 7/10
Hong Kong Airport experience: 7/10
Service on board: 9/10
Seat comfort: 8/10
In-flight meal: 6/10
In-flight entertainment system: 6/10
Cabin ambience and cleanliness: 10/10
Aircraft condition: 10/10
Punctuality: 10/10
Overall rating: 82/100
Hope you enjoy my trip report.
Cheers,
Charles Ryan Teo
History of Hello Kitty Jets
Sanrio and EVA Air collaborate to promote the branding of 'Hello Kitty' on the Taiwanese airline aeroplanes. It all started in 2005 and lasted in 2008 for the first generation. Fortunately for the Hello Kitty fans, the Hello Kitty jets came back in newer livery from 2011 till today. Here are some photos of the Hello Kitty Jets.
*Photos are credited to the respective photographers from airliners.net
Previous Generation Hello Kitty Jets: 2 Airbus A330-200 (B-16303 and B-16309) were painted.
This is B-16303 which used to be in the old Hello Kitty livery. This aircraft has since left the fleet and is now flying for Eurowings.
This is B-16309 is currently in the newer 'Hello Kitty' livery. (Photo: Jyunchen Liu)
Former Kitty # 1: B-16331 (Airbus A330-300) *Magic Stars*
Former Kitty # 2: B-16332 (Airbus A330-300) *Love Apples* (Photo: Kobayashi)
Former Kitty #3 B-16333 (Airbus A330-300) Around the World (Photo: Mark A Harris)
Current Hello Kitty livery aircraft
Kitty #1 B-16331 (Airbus A330-300) Bad Madtz-Maru livery (Photo: Mark A Harris)
Kitty #2 B-16332 (Airbus A330-300) *Sanrio Character Joyful Dream (Photo: Justin Lin)
Kitty #3: B-16333 (Airbus A330-300) Celebration Flight (Photo: Justin Lin)
Kitty # 4: B-16309 (Airbus A330-200) *Speed Puff*
Kitty # 5: B-16311 (Airbus A330-200) *Happy Music*
Kitty # 6: B-16703 (Boeing 777-300ER) *Sanrio Family- Hand in Hand * (Photo: Kevin Boydston)
Kitty #7: B-16722 (Boeing 777-300ER) *Hello Kitty Shining Star *
Kitty #8 B-16205 (Airbus A321) *Gudetama*
Carrier: EVA Air
Flight number: 858Date: 13th March 2012
Routing: HKG-TPE
Seat number: 49A (Empty seat beside mine)
Aircraft type: Airbus A330-302X
My 6th ride on this aircraft type and the 3rd airline to have flown on.
1st time on B-16331
Line number: 1254
Plane delivered: 22-09-2011
Registration: B-16331
Engines: 2x GE CF6-80E1A4B
Configuration: C30Y279
Flight duration: 1 hr 10 mins
Scheduled departure time: 2105
Actual departure time: 2015
Scheduled arrival time: 2240
Actual arrival time: 2230
FL: 400
Load factor for Y class: 80%
Departure gate: 36
Arrival gate: C10
Departure runway: 07R
Arrival runway: 05L
Photos of my aircraft, B-16331
Introduction
Initially, I was supposed to fly out on the 12th March, I decided to stay for one more day. If I left on that day, I would have flown on the same aircraft (B-16332). Not only I had a day extra, but I also got to fly on a different aircraft back. It was a great decision! No charges for the change of flight, that's one of the good things I like flying with this carrier. When I flew with this airline, it was not in the star alliance.
Nothing much to show about the hello kitty flight, just the display screen and that's about it. Hello, Kitty is quite popular in Hong Kong, that's why this city was picked ahead of others.
It was pretty quiet at that time. The flight back to Hong Kong departed at a not so ideal timing for HK travellers, but it benefited the locals as they can do a day of shopping before heading home.
Boarding was on time, and soon I made my way to my seat. Once again, the flight was not full and I had a vacant seat beside mine, great to stretch out my legs.
Here are some photos of the cabin
Economy class
IFE Screen
Basic IFE touchscreen system; no USB port and the limited number of movies and games. Adequate enough for regional routes.
Royal Laurel (Business Class)
The service onboard this flight was better than the previous. Smiling faces and cheerful greetings from the majority of the crews caught me by surprise. Even though this was the return leg, they made every effort to assist the passengers. Fast to respond to calls from passengers and was cordial to me when I passed by some of them. Among my flights with this airline so far, this has to be the best.
The food, on the other hand, was average. There was no food option for this short sector, still nice to have a hot meal this short sector, so no complaints there. As for the chicken sauce, it was pretty salty even with the rice it wasn't much of a help. Overall, I don't like this meal.
Conclusion
Flying the Hello Kitty Jet is definitely an experience for both neutral and Hello Kitty fans. There will be some avoiding these aircraft and the "kitties" on board. Personally, I have to give both Sanrio and EVA Air lots of credit to attract the public and the best thing of all, no extra charges to fly on this aircraft. There are also freebies to collect which makes flying on the EVA Air Kitty Jet aircraft even more exciting for some, so if you have plans to fly on the Hello Kitty route, go ahead and give it a try. I appreciate the airline has also done some improvements on the website and in-flight service. Hopefully, this airline fulfill its potential by becoming one of the best airlines in the world!
EVA Air's Hello Kitty Schedule
Here is the link to the flight routes and schedule.
Current routes (Updated in July 2015):
From Taipei Songshan
- BR772/771 Shanghai Hongqiao and back (B-16331 or B-16333)
- BR192/190 Tokyo Haneda and back (B-16331)
- BR191/189 Tokyo Haneda and back (B-16333)
From Taipei Taoyuan
- BR858/857 Hong Kong and back (B-16309)
- BR20/19 Guam and back (B-16311)
- BR160/159 Seoul and back (B-16332)
- BR106/105 Fukuoka and back (B-16332)
- BR116/115 Sapporo and back (B-16311)
- BR198/197 Tokyo Narita and back (B-16309)
- BR88/87 Paris and back (B-16703)
- BR216/215 Singapore and back (B-16722)
- BR52/52 Houston and back (B-16722)
Credit goes to the airline's website.
Do take note that aircraft can be changed at any time due to operational requirements.
For more information, please click here.
Click here for my part 1.
For my Hello Kitty B-16722 Part 1 Trip Report, click here
For my Hello Kitty B-16722 Part 2 Trip Report, click here
My rating:
Website (2004): 9/10 (Excellent)
On-ground service: 7/10
Hong Kong Airport experience: 7/10
Service on board: 9/10
Seat comfort: 8/10
In-flight meal: 6/10
In-flight entertainment system: 6/10
Cabin ambience and cleanliness: 10/10
Aircraft condition: 10/10
Punctuality: 10/10
Overall rating: 82/100
Hope you enjoy my trip report.
Cheers,
Charles Ryan Teo
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