Air New Zealand's unexpected journey with a Hobbit inspired livery

Air New Zealand, the self-proclaimed 'airline of Middle-earth', arrived on England's fair shores yesterday in a livery inspired by the soon-to-be-released movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Fresh from releasing its "Unexpected Briefing" in-flight safety video - viewed over 10 million times on YouTube - Air New Zealand painted its 777-300 to take the cast and crew over to New Zealand to attend the film's premiere in Wellington on November 28.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Rob Fyfe says the imagery, which extends the full length of the 73 metre long aircraft, is simply stunning.  "This aircraft is going to excite passengers and fans of Sir Peter Jackson's award-winning cinema fantasies alike when it begins regular Air New Zealand services between Auckland, Los Angeles and London from this evening. (NZT).

More images below the fold: