To promote two Hobbit-themed films, Air New Zealand has announced a plan to offer Hobbit-themed flights for passengers to New Zealand from the UK and the US.
The air carrier said that it would convert two of its Boeing 777 aircraft into special Hobbit-themed planes. The idea has been put into action as part of a promotional deal for Peter Jackson’s upcoming film adaptations, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. The two-year deal, which has been agreed between the airline, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, is intended to offer light-hearted fun for the airline’s passengers.
The promotional offer will see a Boeing 777-300 transformed into a flying billboard for the first movie. A Boeing 777-200 will perform the same duties for the second movie.
Air New Zealand’s general manager of marketing and communications, Mike Tod, said that he was excited that a large number of international visitors were planning to travel to Wellington for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, on November 28. He said that the film would also market New Zealand across the globe. He added that the films would be supported with social-media initiatives.
Sue Kroll, president of worldwide marketing for Warner Bros, the parent company of New line and MGM, said, ‘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.’