Not so long ago, Air New Zealand used Richard Simmons to explain safety procedures in their in-flight videos. While we thought nothing could ever top that, we were wrong: The airline has lanched a new safety video, 'An Unexpected Briefing,' complete with hobbits and wizards in celebration of the upcoming Peter Jackson film, which was filmed in New Zealand.
The video includes appearances from Jackson, as well as the unforgettable character, Gollum, and descendants of J.R.R Tolkien, author of The Hobbit on which the trilogy is based.
The safety video, which will be rolled out across Air New Zealand aircraft from today, can be viewed at www.youtube.com/airnewzealand.
The release of 'An Unexpected Briefing' marks the official start of Air New Zealand's two-year global marketing programme dedicated to The Hobbit Trilogy.
"We will invest several million dollars in Australia, Asia, the United States and Europe on uniquely Air New Zealand marketing efforts related to The Hobbit movies to attract more tourists to New Zealand. We are also working extremely closely with Tourism New Zealand on a range of initiatives, including supporting bringing several hundred journalists to experience Middle-earth," says Air New Zealand General Manager Marketing and Communications Mike Tod. A forthcoming feature of Air New Zealand's support of The Hobbit Trilogy will be a themed aircraft which will be prior to the movie's global premiere in Wellington on November 28.
Cool perk: Customers who pay close attention to the safety video could win a once-in-a-lifetime Middle-earth experience in New Zealand. Hidden within the video are secret Elvish codes. Viewers who spot the codes can then visit www.airnzcode.com/hobbitmovie to unlock the door to Bag End and be in to win a trip for two to New Zealand, including a tour of the Hobbiton movie set, a visit to the Weta Cave in Wellington, and double passes to the red carpet global premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.