Air New Zealand is known for their high-quality product and a bit of quirkiness, and their unique safety videos. The have had some winners, but with their last one, I was not a huge fan. My favorite was their one featuring Richard Simmons, but I could see it getting annoying if you fly the airline often.
The airline’s newest safety video is inspired by the upcoming move, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. I am guessing that Air New Zealand did not do this out of the goodness of their hearts, but they have a deal with New Line and MGM to help promote the movie. I am okay with that, especially since the video is quite entertaining.
It is more than just your average safety video. Look closely… there are “secret Elvish codes,” and if you enter them on the airline’s special website, you can win a trip for two to New Zealand. I suggest paying attention to the safety video on-board the plane and search for the clues on the ground via this video.
So what do you think? How does this compare to the airline’s other videos? It seems to be popular with almost 3.7million views at the time of posting.
HI RES IMAGE (click for larger). Air China’s new 777-300ER (B-2035)adorned with the distinctive ’˜Smiling Faces’ livery takes-off from Paine Field Airport in Everett, Washington on October 30. Image from Boeing.
When I was visiting Paine Field recently, I caught a glimpse of a special livery from Air China. Yesterday the Boeing 777-300ER was delivered to the airline and Boeing shared some background information on the unique design.
The aircraft displays 40 different smiling Chinese faces to represent the role that Chinese aviation has played in bringing China to the world.
“We hope this special-livery airplane will bridge the connection to bring a smiling, confident and friendly China to the world,” said Feng Run E, vice president of Air China. “With the airplane flying around the world, we hope more business travelers will experience the super flight comfort offered by Air China’s 777-300ER.”
HI-RES IMAGE (click for larger): Air China’s newest 777-300ER features the faces of people who were selected from a social media campaign co-organized by Air China and Boeing in July 2012. Image from Boeing.
The 40 people were chosen via a social media campaign created by Air China and Boeing earlier this year.
“Boeing is celebrating its 40th anniversary in China. Over the past four decades, we have witnessed the rapid development of China’s aviation industry and we’re honored to be part of its success by providing our best products and services,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales for Greater China, Japan and Korea, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We look forward to carrying on this great tradition of growth and development over the next 40 years.”
This is the 10th of 19 777-300ERs on order by Air China.
Batavia Air Airbus A320 in the airline’s newest livery. Image by Christian Volpati / Wikipedia.
Batavia Air is based in Jakarta, Indonesia and was founded in 2002. The airline mostly operates flights with-in Indonesia, but also to China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Timor-Leste.
The airline is in the process of upgrading their fleet. Right now they have a mixture of over 30 aircraft including the Airbus A320, A321, A330, Boeing 737-300, 737-400 and a 737-500.
Their newest livery is a nice combination with a front white fuselage, but colored tail. Their previously livery looks familiar, with a bit more white, but with the aircraft type clearly labeled on the side. However, nothing is quite as classic as their original livery with a double cheatline.
Ah, the classic Concorde. It was retired from service in 2003, but when this commercial was filmed in 1989, it was the plane to fly on. Yes, the concept of the Concorde flying to Mars and back is a bit silly (you have to watch it, to get it), but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t totally rad.
Allegiant’s first Airbus A319 (HB-JZK / N301NV) after being painted to their livery. Image from Allegiant.
Earlier this year, Allegiant Air announced that they would be adding 19 Airbus A319s into their fleet. The one seen in this story was recently painted in United Kingdom Southend (SEN) and previously wore EasyJet colors. It currently shows registration number HB-JZK, but when put into service, this aircraft will most likely be wearing N301NV.
Their first A319 is scheduled to be delivered Q1 2013 and in operations Q2 2013. After it is delivered, the aircraft will be used for crew training.
Allegiant is configuring their A319’s in a high-density, 156 economy seat layout. The double exit doors over the wing shows that this aircraft is able to handle the 156 configuration (most A319’s with a single exit hold 134 seats).
One thing you might notice in all the photos is it doesn’t include the nose cone. I expect that is because the aircraft does not currently have a nose cone as seen on Skyliner-aviation.de. I am quite confident that it will have one soon.
I have to say that I love Allegiant’s livery. I think it looks best on the Boeing 757 and it is a bit squashed on the A319, but still looks slick.
