Memo to Australian and New Zealand immigration authorities: don’t panic.
Air New Zealand’s latest announcement about the use of shipping containers to transport Americans to Australia and the Land of the Long White Cloud doesn’t mean it’s entered the people smuggling business.
Instead, the Kiwi carrier has set up the containers in Downtown Chicago to give people a virtual reality tour of both countries “through immersive, sensory experiences”.
This includes a one-of-a-kind infinity room that uses panoramic sound, tactile elements and dynamic video content of iconic New Zealand landscapes and scenes of Australia.
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The pop-up event is touting Air New Zealand’s new non-stop service between Auckland and Chicago. The three times weekly flights using Boeing 787-9 aircraft starts November 30.
Another shipping container highlights the Air New Zealand inflight experience, allowing guests to relax in the airline’s highly-regarded premium economy seats and experience the award-winning economy Skycouch, which turns three economy seats into a couch.
They can also use virtual reality to explore the Business Premier cabin and augmented reality to get a further look at New Zealand while sampling free New Zealand refreshments such as wine, cheeses and Manuka honey.
Air New Zealand general manager of global brand and content marketing Jodi Williams said the pop-up event was designed to give visitors the opportunity to unpack Kiwi culture, explore the beautiful landscapes of Air NZ destinations and give them a sneak peak of flying with the carrier.
“We hope that through the event more Chicagoans will see why we believe we are a better way to fly,” she said.
The airline’s decision to fly to Chicago comes as the airport was recently listed by airline route expert OAG as the world’s second most connected after London Heathrow.
Read: London, Chicago top list of the best-connected airports.
The new service opens up the US Midwest, the nation’s third most populous city and a major global financial center to AirNZ.
“We’re excited to open this new route to not only Chicagoans but also Midwest and East Coasters as well as travelers in Eastern Canada looking for a convenient option to fly to New Zealand with easy connections onto Australia,” said AirNZ regional general manager Americas Liz Frazer.
The pop-up event runs until September 22.
