Air New Zealand's got a new Boeing 787 and new premium economy seats, so what better excuse reason for a new inflight safety video?
And with the final instalment of The Hobbit trilogy hitting cinemas in December – and a bit of controversy still bubbling over the Safety in Paradise video – the natural choice was hobbits in swimsuits.
Okay, maybe not in swimsuits.
But the big-footed big-hearted Hobbits are back, along with orcs and elves and dwarves and other races from the Tolkien's world – plus cameo appearances from director Sir Peter Jackson, Weta Workshop co-founder Sir Richard Taylor and the cast of the films.
AirNZ this week began shooting what we assume will be its final Middle-earth safety video under the helm of local director Taika Waititi (he's the non-Elf seen below), which will screen across the Kiwi carrier's fleet from late October.
“Air New Zealand has been the official airline of Middle-earth for more than a decade now and we want to mark the final film in The Hobbit Trilogy in a very special way" said Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod.
"This video brings together iconic New Zealand film locations with some of the famous faces and Taika Waititi’s signature directing style."
Here's a recap of Air New Zealand's first Hobbit-themed safety video.
Titled An Unexpected Briefing, in a nod to the title of the first movie from The Hobbit, it's a great watch – whether you're going on an Unexpected Journey or just doing your regular commute There and Back Again.
Somebody better tell that hobbit next to the window that this is a non-smoking flight
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David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
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