New Zealand Launch New Plane Design

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well actually, yes it is. Air New Zealand's planes have been given a Hobbit overhaul in advance of the film's release in December, with dwarves, hobbits and wizards emblazoned on the side.



It will certainly make the plane stand out among the others in Heathrow when it lands tomorrow morning and passengers arriving from other flights may wonder if they are hallucinating as the slogan 'The Airline of Middle Earth' passes by them on the tarmac.



The 777-300 aircraft has been praised by The Hobbit director Sir Peter Jackson, who says: “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.