Air New Zealand

Travel Tidbits: Cool ANZ safety video, free museums, fun stuff

March 1, 2018Harriet BaskasAirports, Kids travel, Museums, Safety videosAir New Zealand, Airlines safety videos, comedy, JFK Airport, Norwegian

Happy Friday. Here’s hoping you have a great weekend of adventures planned.

Here are some travel tidbits that might be useful as you head out on the road.

Air New Zealand has a new in-fligh safety video it is calling “The World’s Coolest” – becuase it was filmed in Antarctica.

Pittsburgh International Airport gets arty

In addition to hosting a new paint-it-yourself art studio called Paint Monkey, Pittsburgh International Airport has appointed its first artist-in-residence. Blaine Siegel will have studio space at the airport for a year and during his residency he’ll interact with travelers and airport workers to better understand the airport environment. He’ll then produce an artwork that will be exhibited at the airport.

Visit museums free this weekend

Thanks to the Museums on Us program, anyone with a Bank of America, Merrill Lynch or U.S. Trust credit or debit card can gain free entry to any of more than 200 museums, science centers and cultural attractions around the country this weekend – and on the first full weekend of every month. The full roster of participating venues can be found here.

Norwegian debuts female-driven in flight comedy channel

Norwegian has put together a female-driven in-flight comedy channel called PYPO (Put Your Pretty On), with Emmy-winner Stephanie Laing, that will be available on the airlines’ Dreamliner long-haul flights. The channel will start with seven comedy sketches, totaling about 20 minutes, with more to come later this year.

Check out some samples here and here.

JFK Terminal has its own website

As a reminder that every terminal at New York’s JFK airport is pretty much its own world, JFK Terminal 4 now has its own website featuring an interactive terminal map, current information about security and taxi wait times, a FAQ section and tourist information. (T4 also has its own Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts).

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Unless the destination is #NewYork. 😉 pic.twitter.com/K2N6Bq7sRa

— JFK Terminal 4 (@JFKT4) February 27, 2018

Supermodel Rachel Hunter in Air New Zealand safety video

December 13, 2016Harriet BaskasSafetyAir New Zealand, airline safety video, Rachel Hunter

It may be winter up north, but it’s summer in New Zealand. And what’s a new season without a new airline safety video?

Here’s the latest from Air New Zealand. Unlike the “Nothing to Hide” ANZ safety video from 2009 (below), in this one everyone keeps all their clothes on. Even supermodel Rachel Hunter.

Air New Zealand arrives in Houston

December 17, 2015Harriet BaskasroutesAir New Zealand, Houston George Bush Airport, IAH, new routes

Air New Zealand began service between Auckland and Houston this week and, since it’s been 11 years since they’ve added a new U.S. gateway, the airport and the airline celebrated the arrival of the first plane in style.

Here are some snaps and a short video from the day, which included a welcome dance by a troupe made up of ANZ staff.

Men in Black & Air New Zealand’s safety video

August 13, 2015Harriet BaskasSafetyAir New Zealand, All Blacks, Contest, Men in Black.

Air New Zealand’s newest in-flight safety video – “Men in Black Safety Defenders” – stars the All Blacks (New Zealand’s national rugby team and defending world champions), other international rugby greats, actor Rip Torn and that scary talking pug – in a rap-style video inspired by the “Men in Black” film franchise.

The celebrate, the airline is giving U.S. customers a chance to win two roundtrip tickets to London from Los Angeles on Air New Zealand.

Travel Tidbits: FAA vs. Southwest +Air New Zealand at LAX

November 4, 2014Harriet BaskasLounges, SafetyAir New Zealand, FAA, LAX, Southwest Airlines, TBIT, travel

After failing to come to a settlement, the Federal Aviation Administration has filed a $12 million suit again Southwest Airlines over allegations that repairs made to 44 airplanes by a contractor did not meet safety standards.

Starting December 3, 2014, AIR New Zealand will switch terminals at Los Angeles International Airport from T2 to the lovely Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). That, of course, means ANZ passengers will be able to enjoy all the new art and amenities in the revitalized terminal. But it also means that qualified ANZ passengers will able to use the swanky Star Alliance lounge in that terminal, which is operated in partnership with Air New Zealand.