Air New Zealand and The Hobbit

Air New Zealand, which calls itself the ‘airline of Middle-earth’ has two Hobbit-themed Boeing 777-300s in its fleet. // © 2013 Air New Zealand

The second plane features a 177-foot decal of the dragon Smaug from “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” // © 2013 Laura Forest

Director Peter Jackson (bottom right) at the unveiling of the Smaug plane at LAX // © 2013 Cody Geib

Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand’s CEO, stated that many Americans don’t realize that New Zealand is only 13 hours away from Los Angeles. // © 2013 Cody Geib

The “Just Another Day in Middle-earth” video aims to drive home the point that “Middle-earth is closer than you think.” // © 2013 Air New Zealand

Fili in The Hobbit films, Dean O’Gorman appears in both of Air New Zealand’s Hobbit-themed videos. // © 2013 Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s Hobbit-themed videos feature New Zealand’s domestic airports. // © 2013 Air New Zealand