8 Things about the EVA Air’s Hello Kitty jet that’ll bring out the kawaii in you

TAIPEI — A trip on EVA Air’s Hello Kitty-themed flight means the Instagramming starts right at the check-in counter. So how do you get the most out of your Hello Kitty haven? Here are some things you need to do for a full-blown kawaii time:

1. Declare your luggage ‘fragile’. The feline without a mouth is five apples tall and weighs three apples, and beckons from the TV monitors above the check-in counters at Changi Airport. Hand over your passport and you’ll soon find in your hands a Hello Kitty-themed boarding pass as your luggage is tagged with a Hello Kitty-embellished label. For additional adornment, ask for a “Fragile” tag. It’s super cute and maybe your suitcase will get tossed around a tad less.

2. Snap a shot with the Shining Star Jet. Get to the waiting area early. EVA Air’s seventh Hello Kitty aircraft – and the only one to be hosted by Singapore – is a new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft named Shining Star and plastered on the exterior of the vessel alongside Hello Kitty are My Melody and Little Twin Stars Kiki and Lala. You’ll want time for photos with the plane before you board.

3. Visit the loo. The Hello Kitty Shining Star features a spanking new cabin interior with spick-and-span seats, Wi-Fi and the latest in-flight entertainment system with high-definition touch-screen monitors. Get comfortable and then pop by the lavatory for a look at the Hello Kitty-themed amenities, from hand soap to lotion and even toilet paper.

4. Eat and drink up. You won’t quite get to bite into a Kitty face, but there will be a star-shaped carrot slice or two. That said, there is still plenty of paraphenalia on the meal tray - the tray liner, cutlery, napkins – for that pretty Kitty picture.

5. Play some games. Hello Kitty themed playing cards in two designs. Enough said.

6. Shop. Perusing the Hello Kitty items for sale in the duty-free catalogue is like the flight equivalent of visiting Tokyo’s Kiddyland. There are models of planes and buses with Hello Kitty themed livery, spherical jigsaw puzzles, makeup brushes, bags and more. It’s also possible to make pre-orders online at http://evakitty.evaair.com/en/ for collection on-board.

7. Help the cleaning crew out. The mini pillow on each seat is the airline’s property, but if you can’t resist bringing back a souvenir, you can help yourself to the Hello Kitty case – the cleaning crew is going to have to do it anyway. It serves as a rather conveniently sized pouch for flight essentials like a tube of hand cream. And for those who are trying to amass a collection EVA Air switches things up every season for five of their jets. For the Shining Star jet and Hand in Hand jet, on-board amenities (like headrest covers and pillowcases) receives a new design periodically.

8. Check in yourself

If you’re flying from Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport, don’t forget to self-check in at the Hello Kitty counter! Get to the airport early. Once you’re in the transit area, you’ll find Hello Kitty telephone booths, Hello Kitty nursing rooms, a Hello Kitty playground and a Hello Kitty merchandise shop for souvenirs.

This trip is made possible by EVA Air. EVA Air flies daily between Singapore and Taipei. The Hello Kitty Shining Star flights are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays on BR 216 and BR 215.