Giveaway: EVA Air 777 Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet Model & MicroUSB Drive

I’ve written a bunch over the last couple of days about the EVA Air Hello Kitty program. The Star Alliance airline doesn’t just paint planes in Hello Kitty livery, they introduce service elements and minor details throughout the passenger experience that reflect the Hello Kitty concept.

As a general matter I prefer to give away anything I receive from travel providers, and I try my best to keep my home uncluttered.

Since I attended the launch event for EVA Air’s new Taipei – Houston service, operated by a brand new Hello Kitty 777 ‘Shining Star’ jet, I came home with a couple of items of swag. And I’m going to give them away here.

To enter:

  • Leave a comment on this post answering the question, “Would you go out of your way to redeem miles to fly on Star Alliance airline EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flights?”

  • Enter by Thursday, June 25 at Noon Eastern time.

  • One entry per person.

  • I will draw the winning at random with the assistance of random.org.

  • By entering you agree that any and all decisions I make with respect to this giveaway are final and unappealable and you disclaim any right to dispute, sue, or seek damages in any way or of any kind. In other words, I’m trying to give stuff away and you won’t give me a hard time for doing so. Thank you!

So… would you go out of your way to redeem miles to fly an EVA Air Hello Kitty jet?

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. I sure hope that Business Class will be available for redemption on the route. The product looks like a lot of fun.

  2. I personally wouldn’t, but my niece may make me. I would take her for a special moment perhaps!

  3. Definitely for the experience. The business class looks nice. I am sure that the wifey would find it a bit cheeky for her taste though! 🙂

  4. Haven’t flown EVA in years, but fondly remember the experience on the plane. Would love to check out the themed plane and enjoy business on the IAH to TPE route. So yes would go out of the way even though EVA already operates a direct SEA to TPE route.

  5. I would certainly do it if my travels took me to Taipei! Just need to have United miles now…

  6. Even with the higher Star Alliance redemption, my girl would give the strong hint that its something we have to do.

  7. I sure would. I’ve flown their Royal Laurel class from LAX-TPE and SFO-TPE several times and really like the product. Their Hello Kitty flights look like a lot of fun.

  8. EVA Air flies SEA-TPE direct, but they continue to fly using the old 747 with the almost flat recliner J seats, with some 777 services sprinkled in. If I can book an award ticket in Royal Laurel, I would definitely do a SEA-IAH-TPE trip on a Hello Kitty jet, just to get the better J seats.

  9. Absolutely! A flight on this aircraft would a be a really special treat for our feline loving family!

  10. My wife’s a fan of Hello Kitty, she wouldn’t mind if we had to fly a slightly roundabout way to experience the Hello Kitty 🙂 too bad YVR-TPE is still operated by a 747

  11. Yes. I almost never take trips which can be served by Hello Kitty flights, invariably for leisure travel, so I’m willing to spend more miles or make an extra connection to do it.

    Of course, my attachment to all things Sanrio goes back 20-odd years, so that factors into it as well.

  12. I would definitely go out of my way to book this EVA IAH-TPE flight!
    And perhaps even fly the TPE-NRT flight as well.

  13. I absolutely would. I think it’s fascinating how much effort and money goes into putting a child character theme on a largely business route. Would love to witness it in person.

  14. Yes – I probably would. My 5 year old daughter is a Hello Kitty fanatic and we still need to take a trip to Taiwan (from the US) to visit her. I’d love to find a way to get on one of the Hello Kitty jets to make the 24+ hour trip. It would certainly help us pass the time quicker with her!

  15. Definitely. It is clear that they are putting a ton of thought and attention into the product – kitty-shaped or otherwise – and that is what is important!

  16. I absolutely would redeem miles for that. My wife is a huge Hello Kitty fan and it would be the kind of gift redemption that I could leverage to forget as many anniversaries and birthdays as I want for a few years. 🙂

  17. As a huge hello kitty fan, I’d definitely want to redeem points to fly on this!

  18. YES! In fact, I’m planning a trip to SE Asia and will definitely find way to get on a Hello Kitty EVA Air flight. I love Hello Kitty–sure I’m in my 30’s now but shooot, I never get tired of her cuteness!

  19. I probably would for the uniqueness of the experience. After all, that’s part of why we travel, isn’t it?

  20. I’m not sure I’d take an additional connection or substantially longer itinerary, but absolutely would pick it for the fun customer experience against any similar itinerary.

  21. Probably the first time yes, I would try the Hello Kitty flights just for the experience and opportunity to say “I’ve flown that product.” But most likely, once is all …. the cuteness, I’m afraid, would wear off after that first trip.

  22. Got BKK-AMS with lifemiles earlier this year and I’m looking forward for a redemption (like CDG-TPE) that IS served by a Kitty jet!
    I’m neither a 5 year old nor a Hello Kitty fan. Still its on my ToDo list!

  23. Wife is a huge Hello Kitty fan, so yes, I (we would)…and we have.

    Thanks for the contest!

  24. We’re a loyal Star Alliance member + a household of mainly girls = love of Hello Kitty

  25. Not only would I go out of my way to take a Hello Kitty flight, I would first backtrack to IAH to do so, then take a connecting Hello Kitty flight, just to experience the Hello Kitty check in at TPE.

  26. Only if we can somehow combine the EVA Hello Kitty jet with the ANA Star Wars jet on the same redemption!

  27. Yes, by all means I would redeem StarAlliance miles to fly EVA air–the inflight experience would be worth it for me to “go out of my way”.

  28. Yes. It was a surprise to learn that I was on the hello kitty plane at check in last time.

  29. Household full of Sanrio fanatics means definitely yes! Plus EVA ranks cleanest bathrooms…who wouldn’t want to fly a plane with an actual clean bathroom?

  30. Yes! My nieces love Hello Kitty and it would be a lot of fun for them. It helps that I live in Houston too. I’m glad to see them add this route.

  31. Absolutely!! In fact I’m plotting my strategy right now. Sounds like a great daddy daughter long haul trip.

  32. I would LOVE to fly our granddaughters on a Hello Kitty flight; they love all things Hello Kitty. I just wish these jets flew a few more routes.

  33. Depends on what is meant by “out of the way”…. If I was looking to book a trip and a Hello Kitty flight was possibility (even if it were a little more) I would definitely book it. However I wouldn’t book a trip JUST to try a Hello Kitty flight….

  34. If was in the market for one of the routes I might go out of my way for the hello kitty plane. I have a daughter who would love it (and this prize pack.)

  35. Actually did change around some plans and arranged a flight on ‘Speedpuff’ from TPE-HKG last year – pretty clever marketing gimmick on Sanrio and EVA’S part

  36. Yes I would. Innovation comes from the funniest places, and this looks like great fuel for the imagination.

  37. Yes, I love Taiwan! And its better than traveling on AA, Delta, United. The premium economy meals look better than AA business class.

  38. If it was easy to book, I would consider going a little out of the way. The product seems soils… And I am sure it would add a lot to the entertainment value!

  39. I personally wouldn’t go out of the way for EVA airline… but because of my girlfriend, I would have to. I would probably visit the hub’s location first for a few days and then catch the hello kitty flight!

  40. Not if there were better first class options available. I’d go with first class from many of the Asian carriers over this. But if limited to business class, then Hello Kitty it is! Too bad it looks like EVA doesn’t release much business award space in advance.

  41. Thanks for this Gary!!

    I have gone out of my way, adding an extra segment on my itinerary just so I could fly on the Hello Kitty jet but unfortunately, due to a schedule change, I ended up on a regular jet. Boo.

  42. Probably yes, I would like to travel with my girlfriend to Taiwan sometime later! She would definitely love these cute gadgets.

  43. I am not sure I would redeem for this specifically, but I would pretty excited to find out I was flying on this plane.

  44. Yes I would! Using IAH as my home airport means I wouldn’t have to position myself so it would be extra-easy.

  45. I probably would and it helps that most of my family still lives in Taiwan which makes an Eva Air flight very practical!

  46. Go out of my way to use miles for it? Probably not. But out of my way to fly EVA, sure.

  47. No, I would not go out of my way. I would, however, be amused to find myself on the aircraft and share word of the unique experience with others.

  48. Dependent on the miles required, possibly. If it’s the lower amount, you bet. I’d fly to Taiwan and then continue on to the desired TPAC destination. It would be a trip.

  49. Of course! It’d be a great experience for me and my friend. She’s obsessed with Hello Kitty!

  50. I’m commenting since my significant other is still bitching about me not booking us on the Hello Kitty flight out of LAX last year.

    That and the fact that she forgot to ask for playing cards on our EVA Royal Laurel flight out of SFO…

  51. Of Course! I did it last year and have IAD-NRT-TPE scheduled this Christmas – Kitty on the short leg. Might have to change to the IAH flight.

  52. I actually would redeem for a HK J class trip. ONCE. I love EVA’s J product and my niece adores Hello Kitty, she’d go nuts for all the swag.

  53. Would totally go out of my away. Already tried to last year when flying to Asia but could not get the dates to work. But I will make it work one of these days!

  54. Yes! I think it would be a fun experience, plus I’ve tried Eva Air before on a non-Hello Kitty route and found it to be a great airline.

  55. One of the negatives to me about USAir leaving Star Alliance was losing the opportunity to spend miles on a Hello Kitty flight. The second I showed my 10yo daughter one of these planes, she immediately wanted to travel wherever in the world we had to in order to ride one of these planes. She couldn’t get over the Hello Kitty shaped food and the toilet paper. If I ever come into a bunch of *A miles to spend, they will definitely be on an EVA flight!

  56. Absolutely! Sent an email to my sister yesterday telling her we’ll fly to Asia on this next!

  57. Yes, without a doubt. BR has a great long-haul J product, still has 9 across in Y, the theme is cute, and how many other airlines do a special service to complement the special livery?

  58. Of course! Last summer, I paid a fee to change my flight to fly direct from FUK to TPE, just to fly Hello Kitty. $90++ for the change! I would do it again. I was a little disappointed that there was no Hello Kitty toy or souvenir for the flight. Otherwise, an experience worth doing again!

  59. Sure! this gonna be unique, although i guess the basic idea is similar to the ANA Pokemon flight few years ago

  60. i would, since i’m an EVA diamond member and hello kitty jet is on their newer 777 fleet as opposed to their older 777 fleet

  61. 2 months ago. LAX-TPE. Biz class. NO Hello Kitty. Bummer! I actually used UA mileage for that flight. cost me 80k! Hate UA. Now I am switching to LH for *A award flights.

  62. I certainly would go out of my way. My five year old daughter is a huge fan of HK. We went out of our way this spring to take the Norwegian Getaway so she could meet and greet with her favorite Nickelodeon characters. Nothing like paying an extra 25 bucks a head for the same free breakfast, but with SpongeBob.

  63. My daughter wouldn’t forgive me if I didn’t lob an entry in for this, although I suspect I’ll just have to find it for sale online somewhere.

  64. Absolutely, I would fly one of the Hello Kitty Eva flights! The Hello Kitty gate at TPE is cute. It definitely made me wish I was on that flight.

  65. I would for sure go out of my way to ride in that plane. Sadly I don’t have any trips to that side of world in the works.

  66. Absolutely! Flew once on another Hello Kitty plane short haul and can’t wait to try their long haul to Asia!

  67. If I could ever fly anywhere on a Hello Kitty flight, that would be an extra bonus in life. 🙂

  68. I would love to try the flight especially if my 27 year old daughter is with as she loves Hello Kitty

  69. I would and I already have before. On the way to Tokyo, we made a stop in Taipei just so we could take a short hop on a Hello Kitty plane!

  70. No I would not go out of my way to fly on the “Hello Kitty” airplanes. But, if I needed to get to Taiwan, then I would fly on EVA. Then, I might arrange to fly with Hello Kitty.

  71. If I was going to Taiwan, I’d check out the feasibility for flying on a Eva Hello Kitty jet for the experience. Probably wouldn’t go TOO far out of my way for it though.

  72. Couldn’t care less for the branding when selecting my flights. But I find it cute and don’t mind free swag 😉

  73. Absolutely!! I was planning make it to fly from lax to tpe but it’s being changed to fly to Hou now!

  74. Yes, definitely would! I’ve already experienced “regular” Royal Laurel class from SFO to TPE and this would be even better!

  75. Would I purposefully position myself somewhere solely for this? Probably not. Would I choose this flight over other comparable ones? Definitely.

  76. I wouldn’t go out the way for myself… But I certainly would for our catsitter when we fly EVA Air to Bali. She’s definitely worth it. Incredible peace of mind and

  77. I wouldn’t fly specifically for it but I would for our catsitter who is wonderful and takes care of our babies in special ways she really could use it. She’s wonderf!

  78. Definitely – I have already tried to fly on a Hello Kitty flight, unfortunately, the aircraft for the specific HKG-TPE rotation I was booked on was swapped to a 74E…

  79. OMG. My entire childhood was Sanrio, and the biggest Character, Miss Hello Kitty.

  80. I would love to fly with Hello Kitty Eva!! Everything in this flight is full of Hello Kitty stuff which my kid’s favorite. I need to plan to take an opportunity soon!!

  81. I flew TPE-NRT on a hello kitty jet so my wife could experience it. All it required was switching to an earlier flight (connecting from JFK). Eva was more than happy to switch us so we tried a hello kitty jet. Any more effort than that, not worth it in my opinion.

  82. If I were going to Asia with the kids, yes! But the former is so unlikely that, no.

  83. i’m actually doing this for my sister, not for myself. does the prize include the toilet paper? that alone would be killer.

  84. I would definitely go out of my way at least once for Hello Kitty – certainly provides some novel distractions on a long flight.

  85. Definitely! I think its a unique experience and the attention to detail is much appreciated!

  86. I wouldnt go out of my way to position myself for this flight, but it would have an edge over other options all things being relatively equal.

  87. Absolutely I would! If you could see the walls of my office – they’re covered in HK chachkis!

  88. Yes, with four daughters I would definitely go out of my way to take them on a Hello Kitty flight!

  89. Yes I would…for my fiancee. She freaked out when I showed her your article about the “Hello Kitty plane,” I can only assume she’ll faint upon seeing said plane in person!

  90. No! I would not go out of my way for the Hello Kitty plane. But if someone wanted to give me HK gear for free, well that’s another kettle of fish.

  91. Absolutely! Especially after that drama a few months back where they said that Hello Kitty isn’t a cat but British lady named Kitty.

  92. No, i would not. I battle this all of the time when considering whether to fly an A380, especially in Etihad Apartment or Singapore Suites. Always ends up not being worth it to go so far out of my way and add stopovers just to do it.

  93. Well I’m in Denver, so I need to go out of the way to redeem miles. Nice business class product, so it would be worth while.

  94. I don’t really want to go to Taipei again, but if the opportunity presents itself to fly on it to another destination (or on the way to another destination), I certainly would! It looks fun!

  95. Yes, but I have flown it once before from Tokyo – Taipei on the A330. Even the Tofu in the meal had a Hello Kitty.

  96. No. But, it does beg the question: how many rolls of toilet paper get taken from the airplane as a “souvenir” of the flight?

  97. Most my miles go to flying my special-needs son with a rare metabolic disorder (Pyridoxine Dependent Epilepsy) to various specialist around the country. He’s recently taken a liking to all things Japanese, including Hello Kitty. This would be a permanent fixture in his room.

  98. No. But I made the mistake of showing my 10 y/o your Hello Kitty posts and now she thinks it is the end of the world as we know if I do not take her on a Hello Kitty trip. Gol-dang-it, Gary.

  99. My 8yr old daughter comes with me for most of what she calls ‘shenanigans’ (AKA Manufactured spending), she opens up all the GC packaging for me, and she adores Hello Kitty. So a premium redemption for this flight for the 2 of us is well overdue!

  100. My daughter in law to be would love me forever if I could give her some Hello Kitty stuff.

  101. I would be very tempted! Probably not, because my DH wouldn’t be into it, but DD15 and I definitely would if we could get away with it.

  102. I love the hello kitty plane! I think I would go out of my way to fly with hello kitty. And my kids would love it too!

  103. I absolutely would if I was traveling with my 3 daughters! They would be in heaven.

  104. I wouldn’t for myself but I definitely would for my 18-year old daughter who suddenly turns 9 again over Hello Kitty! Or, as she called it when she was 9, “Kitty Hello”.

  105. Totally would for our two little angels. They love hello kitty and they can’t wait for the theme park that opening soon

  106. I flew the kitty jet kix-tpe a few years ago. Nice to see a plane full of businessmen enjoying the super cuteness. Would go out of my way to take my 4 year old…or maybe my boss.

  107. Definitely would consider the EVA Hello Kitty option as it is better than some of the other premium products out there 🙂

  108. Yes I would. Makes more sense than paying all in cash. The Hello Kitty product as described is too alluring to pass up on.

  109. “Would you go out of your way to redeem miles to fly on Star Alliance airline EVA Air’s Hello Kitty flights?”
    .
    Only if my GF was coming with me… she STILL loves Hello Kitty.

  110. Sure would! It’s an interesting plane to fly on and I’m actually heading to Taiwan in January. I think it would be a cool thing to try out!

  111. Absolutely — have looked more than once at how I could get to SIN via Hello Kitty flights.

  112. I’ve already flown on a hello kitty flight and it was nothing special so I wouldn’t go out of my way to do it again.

  113. We’ve flown EVA twice, and I was really a bit disappointed last time not to get the Hello Kitty jet, so…yes.

  114. Yes I would go out of my way just to fly on the new Hello Kitty Jet. I have never flown EVA and have been wanting to fly them. It would be a great opportunity to fly EVA on their new jet.

  115. I am not sure if I would go out to, but I would certainly like to add the model to my collection 🙂

  116. Yes, I would go out of my way for a Hello Kitty flight. My 4 1/2 year old daughter would be in hog heaven if she flew in that airplane!

  117. Not particularly, although it would make the wife happy if we happened to fly the Hello Kitty jet!

  118. Hellooooo Kitty! If I had *A miles, I totally would route my way onto the Hello Kitty plane. I’m not even a fan, but I’d like to see what a Hello Kitty overload feels like.

  119. Yes, I would. I have taken a diversion to TPE and would do so again to fly the Hello Kitty plane.

  120. No, not at this time. If my daughter happens to develop a fervent love for all things Hello Kitty over the next few years? Most likely.

  121. As my little girl is a Hello Kitty fan, I would go out of my way to book on these if traveling with her.

  122. I would love to fly on this plane. I imagine everyone working on this plane would be in a great mood. Sort of like the pelple working in Disneyland.

  123. Love ” Hello Kitty” and would love to see my nephew who lives in Taiwan. Seems like it would be fun to see all of the ” kitty” stuff.✈✈✈✈✈✈✈Want to fly on Eva, please!

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