The Kiwi airline’s new video, which features several scantily-clad Sports Illustrated swimsuit models, has already gone viral and been met with mixed reviews.
The clip, aptly titled Safety in Paradise, stars Ariel Meredith, Chrissy Teigen, Hannah Davis and David Jones ambassador Jessica Gomes. Rather than being a bland instructional video, which too often gets ignored, the beauties inform passengers of emergency procedures while strutting on white sandy beaches in the Cook Islands wearing skimpy bathing suits.
The cheeky video sees the models jump into rock pools wearing life jackets and tucking their luggage under deck chairs dishing out advice like “Relax, you are on island time now!”
Aussie bombshell, Jessica Gomes, who is a Sports Illustrated favourite, was delighted with her transport to the exotic location, claiming “I was just so lucky to be able to ride up the front with the pilot!”
But it’s not just the models of today informing passengers about in-flight safety, former cover girl, Christie Brinkley also makes a cameo. The 60-year-old, who looks stunning in a white bikini and robe, did not make the journey to the Cook Islands and instead played her role across the Pacific sitting poolside at a swish mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
The clip sent the Twitter-sphere into meltdown with many users thrilled to see swimsuits and air safety together.
“I can’t tell what looks better? The SI models or the Cook Islands?? Amazing job!!” one online fan tweeted.
Picturesque and effective, no? Not according to some who accuse the airline of outright sexism, labelling the video offensive. Hilary Barry, a high-profile news anchor in New Zealand said she was “incensed” with the stunt.
“I think it’s highly inappropriate, sexualised, objectifies women, demeaning, it’s just appalling” Barry said. “They should truly, cut their losses, take it down immediately,” she said.
This is not the airlines first go at challenging the flight safety video status-quo. This racy new video follows clips that feature Hobbits, All Blacks and TV survival expert Bear Grylls.
