Air New Zealand has found a golden opportunity to capitalize on a recent controversy that emerged in New Plymouth, where a petition on the Change.org platform called for the ban of g-string bikinis (or micro bikinis) in public pools
.According to NZ Herald, in response, the airline decided to “defend the freedom of choice” of its customers by adding new direct flights to the South Pacific, allowing bikini enthusiasts to enjoy the sun and beach without restrictions.
Leanne Geraghty, Air New Zealand’s Director of Sales and Customer Care, highlighted the initiative, stating: “Forget about indoor aquatic centers and the petitions that come with them.
With more seats available to the Pacific, it’s time to escape to the beach and the sun.” For Geraghty, this summer’s focus is to enable customers to make the most of “beach” life.
The new flights have increased capacity to popular tropical destinations such as Nadi, Fiji; Tonga; Rarotonga; and Papeete, Tahiti, providing an outlet for those who wish to enjoy sunny vacations and more daring swimwear.Interestingly, this bold new stance by Air
New Zealand starkly contrasts with the company’s past actions. About a decade ago, the airline had to backtrack by retracting its famous “Safety in Paradise” video, which was released in partnership with the 50th anniversary of Sports Illustrated.
The video featured models like Christie Brinkley, Jessica Gomes, and Chrissy Teigen demonstrating how to fasten seat belts and oxygen masks while wearing bikinis on the beach.
This video faced criticism for its alleged objectification of women and sparked another petition against implicit misogyny.
The fact that Air New Zealand has reversed its stance on bikinis and is now embracing g-strings suggests a shift in social and cultural norms even in New Zealand.
Get the latest news on your phone, click to access the AEROIN channel on Telegram. Also, check out our profile on Instagram and our WhatsApp channel.
