Air New Zealand, GoPro team on new surfing inflight safety video

By Chris C., May 14 2015
Air New Zealand, GoPro team on new surfing inflight safety video

Air New Zealand passengers will be taken on virtual a ‘surfing safari’ with a number of world surfing champions as part of the airline’s latest safety video, in partnership with GoPro.

Filmed on the Gold Coast, in Malibu and also at both Raglan and Phia in New Zealand, Australia’s own three time world champ Mick Fanning plays a starring role along with other talent from the US, Asia and New Zealand.

“Previous safety videos have done a fantastic job in selling seats and driving tourism flows,” said Jodi Williams, Air New Zealand’s Head of Global Brand Development, "...whether it be to New Zealand off the back of the two Hobbit-inspired videos and Bear Grylls experiencing one of New Zealand’s Great Walks or the collaboration with Sports Illustrated that boosted tourism to the Cook Islands.”

That collaboration continues with Sports Illustrated model and American big-wave surfer Anastasia Ashley also making an appearance in the video that you can watch below:

GoPro HD cameras were put to use in capturing footage of the surfers in the water – the same purpose that inspired the company's founder to create the device.

Also read: Air New Zealand's 'epic' last-ever Hobbit safety video

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.

02 Jan 2013

Total posts 142

I really enjoyed it! The song has been stuck in my head all morning. Well done ANZ!

undertheradar Banned
undertheradar Banned

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 650

a song won't save your arse during an emergency....the SAFETY message has totally been lost in this latest NZ video....but airlines will keep on 'selling out' and producing these types of 'safety' videos because someones death/injury will never be proven as a reult of the safety video not being 'sufficient'...yes NZ will dot the i's and cross the t's with the 'authorities....but the fact is, when the sh*t hits the fan in an emergency...in the aftermath..no-one 'blames' the safety demo

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Dec 2012

Total posts 38

You're kidding right? When was the last time you actually watched a safety-only video that has been around for years from start to finish? Unless it's someone's first time flying with that airline, I would guess 75% of the cabin don't watch safety videos or demonstrations. These fun and interactive safety videos at least get people to watch them - and watch them even pre-flight! And the way ANZ rolls new ones out continuously means that even the frequent traveller probably tunes in to the messages once in a while. I'd say that is much safer than a boring play-by-play video an airline uses for a decade, which I'm assuming is the non 'sell-out' videos you're referring to. I fully commend ANZ for actually noting the importance of safety videos and financing the department to create new ones a few times a year. Don't think any other airline in the world does that.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

15 May 2015

Total posts 2

Have to agree with Newbie on that one. You only have to look around a cabin when the safety demonstration is on to see the majority of the plane already half asleep, reading a book/magazine or talking to one another. These are entertaining and refreshed often enough that people actually watch them... and stay with them! Funnily enough, I'm sure there are even regular flyers that when push came to shove couldn't do a few of the things in the safety demonstrations...

Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles

01 Feb 2015

Total posts 112

I always have a chuckle when I watch these post boarding! Pre departure champagne in hand and some light entertainment before takeoff!

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

07 Sep 2012

Total posts 148

You couldn't be more wrong undertheradar. I only fly Air Kiwi every now and again but these safety videos always get my attention, and that of most of the cabin. Good on the kiwis for thinking outside the square.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

22 Nov 2012

Total posts 10

:) Another fantastic Saftey Demo by AIRNZ. The only airline that updates their demo a few times a year rather than once a decade.

It's the only one I really watch these days, everyone else's is pretty mudane and boring, and all FF know them off by heart that it actually becomes annoying.

@undertherader, I trust I will never have to sit next to you on a flight. If this is what gets you upset you must whinge about a lot of things. Must drive guests sitting next to you pretty crazy.

Safety is important, but there is no harm making it interesting as well as informative.

Air New Zealand - NZ*E

17 May 2015

Total posts 93

I am a weekly commuter on Air NZ and see these safety videos regularly - the bottom line is they work - looking around the cabin they get most people's attention, people do laugh and smile granted but they pay attention. Talking to a senior airline exec they have hard evidence of their effectiveness in getting the message across - their challenge is keeping it fresh.


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