Change.org put Petition the Page!

Change.org has shown tremendous support for our campaign to get the AirNZ sexist safety video banned by putting it on their front cover.  THANK YOU Change.org.

So keep signing and keep sharing this petition, as we want change,
http://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/air-nz-remove-the-sexist-in-flight-safety-video-airnzsexism?share_id=NPEnesNFTb&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition

Complaint letter 3 & 4

Thalia Kehoe Rowden has been writing about her battle to get the AirNZ sexist safety video banned on her blog, http://sacraparental.com/, after recently been exposed to this video on a flight.  Again, the responses she received and her friend Lucy received are same form letters sent to the first two complaint letters below.

In the little box on their main website I wrote this:

I’m really disappointed at your choice to ally with Sports Illustrated for the latest safety video.

I have six reasons I think it’s a poor choice, and not up to your usual standards. I have written about them on my blog, here:
http://sacraparental.com/2014/03/01/everyday-misogyny-whats-wrong-with-air-new-zealands-swimsuit-safety-video/

Not only does the Swimsuit Edition objectify women, but it belittles women’s sport – which the magazine pays very little attention to. This is not something a country with a proud sporting history should go anywhere near.

This is compulsory viewing on your aeroplanes and I won’t be taking my son on one until these safety videos are gone.

Please leave the sexist 1970s behind.
Thalia Kehoe Rowden

Lucy wrote this, and copied it to the Sacraparental Facebook page thread:

I am completely dismayed by your latest safety advert.

I think it is awful that something so obviously objectifying of women is COMPULSORY viewing. On one hand you can make whatever adverts you like because I can just turn them off. But me and my children HAVE to watch this sexist safety click.

You are completely destroying any hopes you had of being New Zealand’s family friendly airline.

Air New Zealand sent us both a form reply, saying this:

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback regarding our new in-flight safety video.

We appreciate that with each new safety video there will be some people who like the content and others that don’t.  We have been careful to ensure Safety in Paradise has been produced in a way that is tasteful and suitable for viewing by passengers of all ages.  This included testing the video extensively with both a cross section of customers and staff to ensure we strike the right balance between entertainment and communicating important safety messages.  

We were also very careful to ensure that the men, women and children who feature in the video are wearing clothing appropriate for the beach setting where they were filmed. This safety video also allows us to promote the Cook Islands, a key Pacific Island destination which Air New Zealand has served for more than 60 years.

That said your feedback is an important part of our review process and please be assured that your comments have been passed to our Marketing team.  

Thank you once again for bringing your concerns to attention.

Yours sincerely

I replied:

Thank you for your response to my submission.

I’m afraid I don’t feel like you have actually responded to my concerns of sexism. I wasn’t complaining that the video was horrifically explicit or that people shouldn’t wear swimsuits on beaches.

I think aligning your company with one that glories in objectifying women and belittles women’s sport is inappropriate.

I haven’t heard back yet after that last email, but an automated message assures me I will. [Update: that email was March 14 and I haven't heard anything further.]

Complaint letter no. 2

Well it appears AirNZ cares so much about its customers that is has been used a 'form letter' to respond to complaints.

The same letter was sent to one person in February 2014 and more recent used again June 2014, This letter is totally focussed on the writers views which is counter to how a good complaint response should be written.  A response to a complaint should focus on the needs of the complainant.  This is lazy and uncaring behaviour, shame on AirNZ public relations team.  Hundreds and thousands are daily spend by each customer and you cannot be bothered to write letters that address their particular concerns or is it you are receiving too many complaints to individually process?

See complaint letter no. 1 and 2 responses.


Hey team,

Had a great flight down to Wellington the other night with you, absolutely cannot fault the service from bag drop to landing. Thanks for providing that.

I was exceptionally disappointed however with your current in-flight safety video featuring models from the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. I found the whole thing rather repulsive and it made me feel really uneasy and rather humiliated, being forced to watch the video (I assume we must as it's part of the safety briefing) whilst sitting between two ogling men.

The experience was completely degrading and I can't imagine it's very pleasant for your cabin crew to watch over and over again either.

What the hell AirNZ? You're usually so classy!

[name redacted]

--
Dear [name redacted],

Thank you for your feedback expressing your appreciation of our service and disappointment with the safety video.

As with each of our safety videos, Air New Zealand looks to deliver the key safety message in an entertaining and compelling way, while still delivering the necessary safety messages. As an opportunity to further lift our brand on the global stage, Air New Zealand partnered with Sports Illustrated on this occasion. Sports Illustrated Swimsuit magazine has 61 million readers and is widely talked about both online and by global media outlets. In addition, this video also allows us to promote the Cook Islands, a key Pacific Island destination which Air New Zealand has served for more than 60 years.

We appreciate that with each new safety video there will be some people who like the content and others that don’t. We have been careful to ensure Safety in Paradise has been produced in a way that is suitable for viewing by passengers of all ages. We were also very careful to ensure that the men, women and children who feature in the video are wearing clothing appropriate for the beach setting where they were filmed.

Notwithstanding this, you can be assured your comments have been noted and passed back to our Marketing team for their review and consideration. 

Thank you once again for bringing your concerns to our attention.

Kind regards,

[name redacted]

Complaint Letters to AirNZ

One of the main aims of this blog is for people to post their complaint letters and the response letters they have received from the AirNZ public relations (PR) team. The response letters as you will see  are, patronizing, condescending and focus on the increased sales rather than the addressing their customers issues with the video in a meaningful and active way.  This shows an incompetence in their PR team underlining that AirNZ have a weak corporate ethic as regards to the safety of woman and children who fly on this airline.

Also post your letters to Advertising Standards and Sports Illustrated.

Email complaint letters in to bansexistsafetyvideo@gmail.com.