Andrea Crisp: October 2006 Archives

Next time you fly EVA Air don't be alarmed, but your flight could be piloted by a cartoon cat called Daniel. But rest assured, your Airbus A330-200 will be well maintained by Daniel's friends Teddy and Joy.
The cartoon characters are part of EVA Air's specially liveried jet, which features the Hello Kitty theme both inside and out.
EVA Air's new aircraft is the second to feature Hello Kitty livery and features a cast of Hello Kitty characters that have been given EVA crew and staff identities. Cabin attendants wear Hello Kitty attire and Hello Kitty accessories accompany the cabin service. Menu choices include Hello Kitty meals and passengers get Hello Kitty boarding passes and luggage tags!
As the press release says:
"A beaming Kitty in welcomes passengers onboard while Daniel confidently stands next the cockpit outfitted as one of the airline's captains, ready to whisk families on merry flights to fun-filled destinations.  The perky Tippy bear wears a chef's hat, prepared to create gourmet treats.  Teddy and Joy as maintenance professionals ensure that the Kitty Jet is in tip-top shape.  Tim makes sure nothing has been overlooked from the right wing while Tammy as a cabin attendant exudes friendly composure from the left wing.  Fiffy, Cathy the rabbit and Rory the squirrel are all colorfully clothed as EVA ground staff, escorting passengers onboard the Kitty Jet Version 2."
The fun-filled destinations include Nagoya, Osaka or Sendai from Taipei.
The move follows the success of ANA's cartoon Pokemon on its aircraft.

Looking for a wedding with a difference?

Aviation enthusiasts can now tie the knot at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and escape for their honeymoon straight after. From this month, Schiphol is offering four different ceremony options to choose from:

Ready for take-off: billed as a "contemporary aviation-style wedding ceremony". Say "I do" with a view of the aprons.

Fly away to yesterday: Nuptials with a hint of yesteryear.

Say yes and go: Tie the knot quickly and jump on the plane.

Ticket to paradise: Exchange vows on Dutch soil and party on abroad.

Possibilities for newlyweds include hiring an entire plane or reserving a section of a plane. No one has signed up to get married at Schiphol, to date. Asked what inspired the decision to offer this service, a spokesman said: "It's nice. We're an airport city and now we have everything - including the facility to get married."

Apparently, Stockholm and Atlanta also offer a wedding service. According to Schiphol's spokesman, the Dutch media is awaiting the first nuptials with baited breath.