Air New Zealand's Hobbit-themed safety video has just been released – but you don't need to book a flight with the Kiwi flag-carrier, because we've got the full video right here!
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
Air New Zealand cops some flack over its infamously quirky videos, which most recently included an animated cartoon voiced by Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey and Ed O'Neill of Modern Family and Married With Children fame, and before that one with staff naked but for body paint.
Watch those and more in our collection of seven favourite safety videos
(And yes, Air New Zealand is also responsible for one with retro fitness guru Richard Simmons. The less said about that, the better.)
But Air NZ's argument is that these unconventional clips encourage passengers to watch the safety video rather than ignore it.
After all, as Boromir might caution, one does not simply walk onto the plane without ensuring one knows where the emergency exits are.
Air New Zealand has also shared a short teaser with some 'behind the scenes' footage.
Hobbit fever is spreading throughout New Zealand in the lead-up to December's debut of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of three movies in Peter Jackson's prequel to The Lord of the Rings.
Wellington Airport, gateway to the movie's NZ locations, has also gotten into the spirit of things with a massive sculpture of the movie's misunderstood monster Gollum, created by the special effects gurus at Weta Workshop.
The 12 metre long installation shows Gollum reaching into an imagined pond to catch one of his precious 'fishes'.
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Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
29 Jan 2011
Total posts 157
So tell me, when does Air NZ commence flying with hobbit air crew and flight attendants?
10 Mar 2011
Total posts 526
It seems that Air New Zealand are suggesting that their passengers are short, hairy and unattractive....
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
Does the association of JR Tolkien with Air NZ and the great country of New Zealand as a whole have an expiry date?
I don't know about you but I think it's getting a bit old. I like to think there is more to New Zealand (and there is!!!) than just hobbits and Middle-earth!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Very good but very very long.
Good clear demo of electronic devices, albeit apple centric.
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