Cats can't swim, but they can fly. The Eva Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet proved that in Houston. EVA Air Chairman KW Chang served as captain in charge of the inaugural Taipei-Houston flight for a brand-new specially painted Boeing 777-300ER.

"The Asian community in Houston is growing at a faster rate than any other demographic group in the city," Houston Mayor Annise Parker said in a statement.

"That's just one of the many reasons why it's imperative that we establish and maintain strong air service throughout the Asian region. The arrival of EVA Airways is a tremendous step forward in meeting that vital goal."

The airline tailored its new plane for Texas and named it the EVA Air Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet.

"I initiated our Hello Kitty Jet concept to make flying fun. Travelers' responses in Asia, Europe and the United States tell us we are succeeding," EVA Air Chairman KW Chang said in a statement.

"The support we have received from the City of Houston, Houston Airport Systems and Texas makes us feel welcome. By flying our latest Hello Kitty Jet and offering convenient one-stop connections to cities throughout Asia, we believe our new service will be a Texas-sized success."

EVA worked with Sanrio to tailor a Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet livery and theme especially for Houston. The cast of colorful, Texas-sized characters painted along the length of the plane includes Little Twin Stars Kiki and Lala, flying through the skies with their pet teddy bear while Hello Kitty and My Melody happily ride along on stars.

"EVA Airways not only brings Houston passengers nonstop access to the Taiwan market but they also bring a fresh and vibrant business approach," said Houston Aviation Director Mario C. Diaz.

"This is evident from the moment the inaugural flight touches down and Houston passengers are introduced to a 'Hello Kitty' welcome.  I'm confident that our customers will respond extremely well to both the route and the fun atmosphere."

Each of EVA's exclusive Hello Kitty Jets has its own unique livery and theme. The new EVA Hello Kitty Shining Star Jet is the airline's seventh specially painted aircraft and its second using a long-range Boeing 777-300ER.  It currently flies its other six Hello Kitty Jets from Taiwan to Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Guam and Paris.

EVA is extending its Houston Hello Kitty Jet service by also flying the new aircraft between Taipei and Singapore, starting June 21, 2015. Singapore-bound BR215 departs Taipei at 09:25 a.m. and BR216 returns at 3:10 pm (15:10). Consistent with the Houston schedule, EVA operates Hello Kitty Jet service to Singapore on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and will up the schedule to four flights a week, starting July 1, 2015.
The airline equipped the plane with all of the latest comforts and conveniences, including inflight Wi-Fi, global roaming and state-of-the-art entertainment systems in every seat. It configured the aircraft with 333 seats, 39 in Royal Laurel Class business, 56 in Elite premium economy and 238 in Economy.

EVA is launching its passenger route between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental and Taipei's Taoyuan International Airports with three flights a week and adding a fourth, using a Boeing 777-300ER with standard EVA livery, on July 8, 2015.