Air New Zealand, Spirit Airlines to merge? [NSFW]

Of course not. But their advertising departments appear to be run by the same person. How else do you explain Rico, the trash-talking puppet who is featured in two new Air New Zealand ads.

Echoes of every recent Spirit Air promotion in there, wouldn’t you say?

Here’s the other ad:

One item that seems to be getting missed by the many travel bloggers who have written about Rico is that he’s supposed to be a travel writer. According to Air New Zealand’s Jules Lloyd, Rico is,

A well-meaning, budding travel author, who discovers and shares the many joys to be experienced on board the new 777-300’s. Unable to contain his enthusiasm for life, Rico lets his passion rub off all over his fellow travellers through sharing some intimate moments with them—with awkward, amusing results.

Why is Air New Zealand being so racy? Because it works. Five million viewers can’t be wrong, can they?

I’m not one to take the moral high ground here. I grew up in Europe, which is a lot less prudish than the U.S. when it comes to clothing. I’m also on record as being supportive of clothing-optional vacations.

But since Rico is supposed to be one of us, I’m not all that amused.

  • http://virtualwayfarer.com @AlexBerger

    I have to admit, that even though I shouldn’t have. I laughed. First one was far better than the 2nd one. That said, they are in fairly poor taste…but they’re also tailored towards a viral environment where benign and boring only works if it’s beautiful and pristine. Otherwise, shock and awe or fascinating is where it’s at. They understand the niche and are playing to it.

  • Carrie Charney

    I must say, I was very impressed with ANZ when I flew to Auckland in Premium economy at the introductory fare, when the class was first instituted. Our 747 was fully boarded in less time than it takes to board a 767 at home. The FA’s were so helpful, assisting with luggage going into the overheads. That’s probably why boarding time was so quick.

  • Joe R

    “Five million viewers can’t be wrong”

    Sure they can. Happens all the time :-)

  • Clifw

    I kinda love Air NZ based on a single experience, but there nude ads & safety video (which, sadly, was only shown on domestic flights) garnered an incredible press & goodwill for an airline with a geographically disavantageous location and a small home market- so it needs all the press it can get. Plus, I also love that all the nude models in the ad are real Air NZ staff- not pro nudists. Their CEO is one of the baggage handlers (doesn’t hurt that he is a very fit, very good looking man).

  • Maria

    I loved their body paint ads, but these are offensive and sophomoric. Air New Zealand is advertising its new premium economy – the best premium economy in the world – by using this trash? Beating off, licking cracks, enjoying the bush, “b*tches” blowing you? What type of filth is this? Why is Air New Zealand trying to promote a premium product with nastiness?

  • Les

    During several weeks traveling in NZ we never met an unfriendly Kiwi or one lacking a sense of humor. That began with Air NZ staff on our flight from San Francisco. Add to that the airline’s ability to make the 12 hour flight a long stretch of comfort …. and as far as I’m concerned they can do no wrong.

    Planning a trip for next year (and having a rotten time finding air connections) we’re bemoaning that Air NZ doesn’t fly to Europe from the US.

  • EricR

    You’re all a bunch of prudes and old fuddy-duddies ;-)

    Those adds were classic, especially the first one. This is perfect advertising for a generation raised on the cruder humor of South Park, Jackass, MTV, and The Daily Show.

    Unfortunately, that generation is going to eventually not only consume content, but start creating content – so you’ll all have to bury your heads in the sand or get used to blushing!