China Airlines Teams Up with Jimmy Liao for a Heartwarming Collaboration – The “Hug Plane” Takes Flight

▲ The first painted aircraft “Hug Plane” from the collaboration between China Airlines and artist Jimmy Liao made its debut on June 7. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Following the success of EVA Air’s Hello Kitty painted planes in attracting passengers, China Airlines has also planned a series of Taiwanese cultural and creative painted aircraft. The first “Hug Plane,” a collaboration with artist Jimmy Liao, debuted on June 7. China Airlines featured illustrations from Jimmy Liao’s picture books on the fuselage of a B747-400 aircraft, with the concept of “A journey begins with a big hug.” Endangered species were depicted on the plane alongside innocent children as they embraced the Earth, expressing care for the land.

The Hug-themed painted plane subsequently operated Flight CI503 from Taoyuan Airport to Shanghai. The cabin was specially decorated with hug-themed pillows, headrest covers, and Jimmy Liao’s artwork, while a fun Hug Plane animation played on board. Flight attendants also wore aprons featuring hugs between white dolphins and polar bears. First-flight passengers received commemorative items such as a special edition of the Hug picture book, playing cards, and T-shirts. Business class passengers were also given travel bags designed by Taiwan’s up-and-coming designers Lin Junxiong and Jiang Meng_c, promoted by Taipei as the City of Design. Taiwanese cultural and creative works could be seen throughout the cabin.

The “Hug Plane” centers around the adorable “Earth Baby,” with eight illustrations surrounding both sides of the fuselage. It takes passengers on a journey starting with the endangered white dolphins off the eastern coast of Taiwan, swiftly flying over the sun, moon, and stars like an owl, exploring the world, and caring together for animals facing crises due to global warming—such as polar bears, penguins, and endangered rhinos—before finally returning to the unique green sea turtles of Penghu, Taiwan. The design spreads a message of commitment to environmental protection and positive energy for loving the Earth.

China Airlines specifically selected the Boeing B747-400, its largest passenger aircraft, for the painting, which can accommodate 70 business class and 319 economy class passengers. The aircraft will also feature sales of hug-themed merchandise such as aprons and T-shirts. The Hug-painted plane will fly routes to Europe, the United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, and mainland China in the future, allowing passengers to have a beautiful encounter with the Hug Plane and experience the unexpected cultural and creative surprise of flying.