Air New Zealand launches world’s coolest safety video

Featuring Hollywood actor, filmmaker, and environmentalist Adrian Grenier, the World’s Coolest Safety Video takes viewers on a breath-taking journey to Antarctica, where Kiwi scientists are tackling the most pressing questions on global climate change.

The World’s Coolest Safety Video takes viewers on a breath-taking journey to Antarctica, where Kiwi scientists are tackling the most pressing questions on global climate change

Building on Air New Zealand’s long-standing partnership with Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute, the video shows Grenier team up with Scott Base scientists to track penguin populations, study ice core samples, and visit early explorer Ernest Shackleton’s hut and the vast Dry Valleys.

UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Grenier, whose environmental work also includes co-founding the ocean conservation non-profit organisation Lonely Whale, says it was a privilege to partner up with Air New Zealand and Antarctica New Zealand for the video project.

“This safety video highlights Air New Zealand’s support of scientists striving to make discoveries that are going to help humanity—a cause which aligns with my own commitment to the environment. To know the airline is doing its job to help us understand how climate change is going to affect us is something that is very important to me.”

The movie features UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador Grenier, whose environmental work also includes co-founding ocean conservation non-profit Lonely Whale

To minimise the environmental impact of filming, a total crew of only six travelled to Antarctica, with Scott Base scientists and staff doubling as supporting talent in the safety video. The airline has also released television and online content, providing a more in-depth look at Antarctica and the work being done there.

One of Antarctica New Zealand’s key mandates is to raise awareness of Antarctica and the on-going research. CEO Peter Beggs says the safety video project is an incredible opportunity to profile Kiwi Antarctic science around the world.

“Air New Zealand’s safety videos have collectively attracted more than 130 million online views. Our teams are thrilled to have such a significant global platform to amplify their work and we’re confident it will take our outreach efforts to the next level,” Beggs.

22 students aged eight to eleven years old from Christchurch’s Hornby Primary School also star in the video, appearing in a footage shot in Canterbury Museum’s Antarctic Gallery. Christchurch has been a gateway to Antarctica for more than 100 years and the museum holds an internationally significant collection of artefacts from early expeditions.

Air New Zealand global head of Brand and Content Marketing Jodi Williams says the airline has supported Antarctic science for close to a decade, and an important focus for its partnership is the three-year Biological Resilience Project.

“Multiple teams of researchers are investigating ecosystems on land and water in the Ross Sea area. The goal is to build a monitoring network to understand how rapidly the impacts of environmental change expected in a warming world may play out.

“We are incredibly proud to contribute to this world-class research and are confident the safety video project will encourage millions of people to reflect on the role they can play to minimise their own impact on our environment.”

The safety video is available to view online here and will be rolled out across Air New Zealand’s international and domestic fleet from today.

Air New Zealand to offer the third season of direct flight to Vietnam

After the first two successful seasons of direct flights to Vietnam, Air New Zealand will continue to operate its seasonal non-stop service to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, following strong customer demand.

For its 2018 season, the airline will operate two direct services a week between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

On the only direct flight between New Zealand and Vietnam, customers will enjoy great uniquely Kiwi experience on board. Air New Zealand was named Airline of the Year for consecutive years from 2014 to 2018 by the prestigious award Airlinerating.com.