Air New Zealand's 'Safety In Paradise' In-Flight Video Is Their Sultriest Yet
The Huffington Post Canada | Posted: 02/11/2014 4:32 pm EST | Updated: 02/12/2014 11:59 am EST
Will bikini-clad swimsuit models make airline passengers pay attention to in-flight safety instructions? Air New Zealand certainly hopes so.
On Tuesday, the Kiwi carrier released their latest in-flight safety video, entitled "Safety in Paradise" on YouTube. The video's a joint venture between the airline and Sports Illustrated Magazine, which is releasing its 50th edition of its swimsuit edition.
Clocking in at just over four minutes, the video features the regular list of safety protocols such as turning off electronics before take off, how to fasten your seatbelt, what to do during loss of cabin pressure but replaces standard cabin crew members with Sports Illustrated models Christie Brinkley, Jessica Gomes, Chrissy Teigen, Hannah Davis and Ariel Meredith.
The video's a departure from the standard aircraft setting but manages to capture the basics of in-flight safety one way or the other, while highlighting the beauty of the Cook Islands, the location where Air New Zealand shot the film. What it isn't a departure from is the airline's recent streak of quirky videos.
Earlier renditions of the carrier's videos have featured orcs and elves from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series as well as celebrity Betty White. Competing carriers have caught on too, releasing their own funny videos, featuring song and dance numbers or retro throwbacks to the '80s.
But Air New Zealand has also taken its videos to new heights after it released a behind-the-scenes teaser last week. It's also earned its share of critics, some which are calling the airline sexist for using swimsuit models. You can watch the teaser video below:
Deborah Russell, a lecturer and feminist commentator at New Zealand’s Massey University denounced the video.
"My concern is that as a woman I get on a plane to go to a business meeting say — something serious — and I am confronted by women in bikinis in what are highly sexualised images," said Russell. “I want to be taken seriously but it seems that suddenly they are saying that my sexuality is all that matters about me," the Daily Telegraph writes.
The airline says there's nothing wrong with the video and that the attire is fine given the beach location.
"We have been careful to ensure Safety in Paradise has been produced in a way that is tasteful" maintains Air New Zealand spokesperson Andrew Aitken told Fairfax NZ, adding that it was "entirely appropriate they're wearing beachwear and we were careful to ensure all talent were in appropriate wardrobe choices."
What do you think? Another classic in-flight safety video in the making or a demeaning piece of media? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter
Air New Zealand bikini video phased out
6:59 PM Friday Jul 4, 2014
An Air New Zealand safety video featuring Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models is in the process of being withdrawn, the airline says.
The "Safety in Paradise" video, which featured bikini-clad models in Rarotonga, will be phased out completely by the end of this weekend.
An Air New Zealand spokeswoman said the airline typically changed safety videos every few months, and said the video was not being removed because of public pressure.
The process of phasing in the previously recorded "Bear Essentials of Safety" video featuring Bear Grylls began on their fleet about a week ago, and the process is almost complete, she said.
Air New Zealand video stirred up controversy after more than 6,000 people signed an online petition asking for the video to be removed.
The petitioner said the safety video "completely disregarded" those passengers who found it offensive.
Feminist commentator and Labour candidate for Rangitikei Deborah Russell, also voiced her disappointment.
