Air New Zealand will launch a new hand-sketched in-flight safety video onboard early next month. The video is fronted by Emmy-nominated American actor Ed O’Neill of hit TV show Modern Family and New Zealand-born actress Melanie Lynskey of Two and a Half Men.

The new video features “cameo appearances” from a range of well known personalities, including world leaders like United States President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande and our very own Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.  Other well-known Kiwi faces include All Black Captain Richie McCaw, Olympians Mahe Drysdale and Valerie Adams and television star Paul Henry. American rapper Snoop Dogg also puts in an appearance.

The new safety video will be rolled out onboard all international and domestic jet flights from early July.

Given the global popularity of Air New Zealand’s safety videos the airline has launched a competition where people who identify more than five of the celebrities in the video can be in to win an amazing around-the-world trip for two.

Air New Zealand General Manager Australia Cam Wallace says the latest safety video is the airline’s first foray into a sketched and animated format.

“We’ve previously featured body-painted airline staff, All Blacks and fitness guru Richard Simmons in our videos which have attracted more than 20 million views online. This time, we’re taking the opportunity to highlight the global reach of our business and to recognise world events and celebrities in a uniquely Air New Zealand way.  Our customers will see world leaders who feature in election processes this year, Olympians competing to prove they are the best in the world along with our All Black Captain and A-listers who are big in their markets today,” Mr Wallace says.

“It’s great to be able to deliver our safety messages in an engaging, informative way that also makes people smile – and this time around gives them a chance to win a trip to see the world.”

Air New Zealand’s latest innovative safety video has already captured international media attention before its launch.