Sub-Zero

Hobbit-themed 777 jets planned for Air New Zealand

July 17, 2012

Michael Forbes


Air New Zealand will convert two of its Boeing 777 aircraft into special Hobbit-themed planes as part of a promotion deal for Peter Jackson's upcoming film adaptations

Hobbits are taking to the skies once again, but instead of riding giant eagles, this time they are flying Air New Zealand.

The airline has cut a two-year deal with film studios New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to promote the two upcoming movies, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again.

Passengers to and from the United Kingdom and North America will get to fly on two film-branded Boeing 777 aircraft and watch a special edition of the in-flight safety video, both made with the help of Weta workshop.

A Boeing 777-300 will be transformed into a flying billboard for the first movie and a Boeing 777-200 for the second movie.

Air New Zealand General Manager of marketing and communications Mike Tod said the airline was excited at the prospect of a large number of international visitors travelling to Wellington for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on November 28.

"Similarly, we will be putting millions of dollars of marketing behind the two films based on The Hobbit to promote New Zealand in new and innovative ways across the globe."

Social media would also be used to offer Hobbit enthusiasts exclusive competitions and unique fan opportunities, Tod said.

Sue Kroll, president of worldwide marketing of Warner Bros - the parent company of New line and MGM - described Air New Zealand's involvement in the promotion as unique.

"The promotions planned by Air New Zealand in support of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are both eye-catching and innovative and we look forward to collaborating with them on the campaigns for both films."

As part of a deal cut in 2010 to ensure the two Hobbit movies were made in this country, the government and Warner Bros agreed to work together in a long-term strategic partnership to promote New Zealand as both a film production and tourism destination.

The government offset US$10 million of Warner Bros marketing costs as part of the strategic partnership.

Prime Minister John Key said at the time that the strategic marketing opportunities for New Zealand from the movies would be worth tens of millions of dollars.

- Fairfax NZ News/stuff.co.nz

Air New Zealand | Hobbit film promotion

mjabbasi

What does a Hobbit look like?

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Moin Abbasi

D-AIHK

Really.... Have you not watch LOTR yet? I'll lend you the DVD...

mjabbasi

Yes I have, oh wait a minute, you mean those small gnome like midgets?

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Moin Abbasi

D-AIHK

There you go... Do you remember Bilbo Baggins at the start of the first Lord of the Rings? Well the Hobbit is the prequel to LOTR...

payton89222

how exciting!!! looking forward to see the special "Hobbits" liveries on New Zealand's 777s as well as the movies!!!

Sub-Zero

mjabbasi

If that's the case, I see these every day when I step out.

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Moin Abbasi

A Tupolev

The hobbits live in Pakistan?

KLM B747-400F

I have seen the LOTR many times, and would like these 2 new movies also.. Cannot wait what the planes look like..

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KLM Collection Is Still Growing.....

Wanted :
KLM Cityhopper : Fokker F-50 (NC) ; Embrear E-190
KLM : B737-400 (NC) ; B737-900 (NC) (WW) ; B767-300 (NC) ; B747-400 from PH
and the KLM A332 from AC..

Modells I collect:

Airbus A380
Boeing B748
Boeing B787

mjabbasi

And in Long Beach CA too!

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Moin Abbasi

Sub-Zero

Air New Zealand unveils Hobbit plane

Geoffrey Thomas, Aviation Editor, The West AustralianNovember 24, 2012, 10:47 am




The Air New Zealand plane adorned with images from The Hobbit. Picture: Geoffrey Thomas/The West Australian

Air New Zealand this morning unveiled its flagship Boeing 777-300ER adorned as a flying billboard for the soon-to-be-released movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Auckland.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe was lyrical about the imagery, which extends the full length of the 73 metre long plane.

“This aircraft is going to excite passengers and fans of Sir Peter Jackson’s award-winning cinema fantasies alike when it begins regular Air New Zealand services between Auckland, Los Angeles and London from this evening,” said Mr Fyfe.

“New Zealand is the home of Middle-earth and The Hobbit movies will be hugely important to New Zealand’s tourism industry in the next couple of years as international tourists are inspired to come and see and experience for themselves the landscapes which have shaped the movies.

Air New Zealand is also looking forward to having the film-inspired 777-300 make a brief spectacular appearance at the red carpet event in Wellington, just prior to the premiere on 28 November.

Sue Kroll, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President, Worldwide Marketing, said Air New Zealand’s involvement is unique.

“Air New Zealand has already proven their creativity and innovation with their delightful Middle-earth-inspired safety video, and now this extraordinary aircraft wrap. We look forward to continuing to work with them in support of the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in the months ahead.”

Sir Peter Jackson, the director of The Hobbit trilogy, said that, “it’s wonderful to see such a stunning image to celebrate The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on one of Air New Zealand’s largest international aircraft. It’s a unique representation of the innovation and creativity of New Zealanders and a great opportunity to show off the incomparably beautiful landscape of this country.”

Air New Zealand will launch a second flying billboard next year utilising another of its long haul aircraft to celebrate the second movie in the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

The graphic took six days and nearly 400 man-hours to install and at 830 square metres it’s the largest ever graphic to be applied to a plane.

It is made up of 370 separate decals.

Air New Zealand unveils Hobbit plane - The West Australian

mjabbasi

Maybe this is why they opted for that boring all white livery.

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Moin Abbasi

gabe4321

Go over to the General talk section and look at the thread"putting faces to the names" you will see lots of Hobbits there