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    Air New Zealand Remove Sexist Sports Illustrated In-Flight Safety Video

    Because what says safety like 6ft models in bikinis?

    The Kiwi airline launched it's latest in-flight safety video in February this year with the help of four Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.

    The video includes helpful in-flight safety instructions like this from US bikini model Hannah Davis.

    It also includes a cameo from 60-year-old US model Christie Brinkley who is told to get off the line BECAUSE THEY'RE ABOUT TO TAKE-OFF!

    View this video on YouTube

    youtube.com

    It sparked online backlash from Australian woman Natasha Young who launched an online petition against the in-flight safety message. The petition has garnered more than 10,000 signatures

    There were those that rallied around the petition's message that the video was sexist, culturally insensitive and in one person's words, not a safety video but "wank fodder".

    I'd hate my daughters to see this tacky, tasteless video. Cook islander guys in canoe was a good idea. Why sexualise it? #airnzsafetyvideo

    watch wank fodder elsewhere - @flyairnz don't put it in the safety video. Petition here: https://t.co/Z8KT99CZRU

    @FlyAirNZ As a Graphic Designer I find your latest safety video deplorable. Objectification of women is sexist, demeaning & unacceptable

    Loyalty for my fav airline has eroded b/c of arrogant attitude to negative public reaction to sexist in-flight safety video. @FlyAirNZ

    There were also people who thought the video was creative and everyone should quit being wowsers.

    Nothing wrong with Safety in Paradise #airnzsafetyvideo. http://t.co/zu8A2ImKGg

    I❤️the #airnzsafetyvideo bikini girls. If you look at them in a sexualised way & have no sense of humour then that's your problem @FlyAirNZ

    Air New Zealand are known for innovative/creative in-flight safety videos and it's not the first time its reverted to sex to sell safety. In 2009, airline staff donned body-paint to explain the safety essentials.

    View this video on YouTube

    youtube.com

    A spokeswoman for Air New Zealand has told BuzzFeedOz the video was not pulled due to the online backlash and it always intended to remove the Sports Illustrated video from its rotation.