Surfs up in latest Air New Zealand safety video

Air New Zealand has swapped Hobbits for surfers in its latest on-board safety video.

Air New Zealand has swapped Hobbits for surfers in its latest on-board safety video.

The airline has assembled some top surfers to deliver the Surfing Safari video, filmed at popular surf breaks in Malibu, the Australian Gold Coast and Raglan and Piha in New Zealand.

It features, among others, 2014 world champion Brazilian Gabriel Medina, three time world champion Australian Mick Fanning, and Americans Laird Hamilton, Alana Blanchard and Anastasia Ashley.

Jodi Williams, head of global brand development at Air New Zealand, said the cast for the latest video will put the airline and the destinations featured in the spotlight for travellers, while engaging customers in key safety messages.

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

Medina praised Air New Zealand for choosing surfing as the theme for its next safety video.

“Surfing is bigger than ever globally and I am keen to do all I can to interest more people in the sport,” he said.

“Air New Zealand serves some of the most amazing surf destinations around the world.

“It has been terrific to showcase a handful of these with some of the greatest surfers of all time.

“It’s been an epic experience.”

Japanese surf legend Masatoshi Ohno added: “New Zealand has magical waves and a culture and vibe that set it apart from so many other countries.”

Blanchard added: “Wherever I travel around the world it’s clear that the quality of women’s surfing is going through the roof and it was terrific to get the opportunity via Air New Zealand for the likes of Kiwi great Paige Hareb and myself to mix it up with the boys.”

Air New Zealand worked with HD action camera manufacturer GoPro to capture the surfers out on the water. To celebrate the launch of Surfing Safari, Air New Zealand is giving online viewers the chance to win a trip for two to Los Angeles, including a two hour surf lesson in Malibu beach with Hamilton.