Air N.Z. gives the bad news about air travel

Press, 24 October 1978, Page 7

Air N.Z. gives the bad news about air travel

NZPA London Fly straight through from London to Auckland and before you arrive, you will feel like death warmed up By the time you arrive, your suit will look slept in and your face will not. The only thing you will anticipate eagerly is a day and a half in bed. Air New Zealand expresses this opinion in an advertisement now appearing daily in London’s national newspapers. The advertisement says that there are several attractive alternatives to the 27-hour straight-through journey. They include a

few days in Los Angeles en route, or stops at Hong Kong or Singapore. According to the advertising agency which handles the Air New Zealand contract, the campaign is aimed primarily at the businessman who may find the direct flight tiring. However, Air New Zealand, in collaboration with British Airways, also provides a straight-through service. “Yes, of course it does,” said Mr Farrell, the advertising man credited with writing what is probably the most aggressive publicity material ever released by Air New Zealand.

“All we are doing is offering a different facet of the same service. I don’t think you have to think in straight lines all the time.” Mr Farrell has flown straight through to Auckland, but he did not mention with w'hich airline. Did he feel like death warmed up when he got there? Yes, he did. “But I hope you are not going to take every word of the advertisement literally,” he said. “Otherwise, you will upset the tailors, because we have suggested that suits can get crumpled after 27 hours in the same seat.”