U.S. Singles Find Out if Opposites Attract at Air New Zealand’s Great Matchmaking Party
It’s a 12-hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland –
How far would YOU go to find The One?
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., October 16, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — One hundred single Americans set a world-first for inter-hemisphere mingling last night, meeting 150 love-seeking Kiwis at Air New Zealand’s Great Matchmaking Party. The singles had connected up to six-months prior via a social network established for Air New Zealand’s Matchmaking Flight, and this 250-person event offered U.S. and N.Z. singles the chance to meet face-to-face, testing whether “opposites attract” applies to travelers from the opposite side of the globe.
The U.S. singles arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on Thursday morning, having been escorted across the Pacific on Air New Zealand’s world-first Matchmaking Flight. The Bachelor’s Jason Mesnick and Molly Malaney were on board as official matchmakers, and treated party-goers to some matchmaking advice, sharing their secrets on maintaining a long-distance romance and wishing everyone well on their love-seeking adventure.
“We’re all for finding The One in unusual circumstances and have our fingers crossed that everyone either met their match onboard Air New Zealand, or on the other side of the Pacific,” said Mesnick. “An adventure like this doesn’t come around very often, and we love that these travelers are willing to take a chance on love and to open their minds to new experiences.”
The ultimate South Pacific coupling experience, The Great Matchmaking Party kicked off with cocktails at SKYCITY’S ultra-glam new bar, twentyone. The singles, ready to mingle, were then transported to the official bash at The Wharf on Northcote Point for an evening of dancing, including a special salsa performance and choreographed crew dance to “Single Ladies;” “The Dating Game” Air New Zealand style; and free-flowing champagne. At midnight, party-goers returned to SKYCITY aboard “The Love Bus” for an after-party.
“The jury is still out on whether long-distance love will come to fruition down under, but from the stories Air New Zealand crew and on-ground staff have shared, I’m confident there have been some magnetic connections,” said Kathryn Gregory, marketing director, Air New Zealand – the Americas. “Air New Zealand has always focused on providing our customers with life-changing experiences, and when it comes to the Matchmaking Flight, what’s more life-changing than falling in love?!”
The Matchmaking Flight kicked off with a pre-party at the departure gate at LAX on Tuesday, October 13. The 30,000-foot matchmaking experience included a themed cabin, complimentary party packs, food and drink designed to spark romance, matchmaking advice from Jason and Molly, speed dating and other ice-breaking games.
For B-roll of the pre-party, including Air New Zealand's famous "Singles Ladies" crew dance, please visit http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/airnewzealand/40644/. Additional images of the pre-party, the in-flight experience and The Great Matchmaking Party are available at https://portal.crt-tanaka.com/ANZMatchmakingFlight/default.aspx, with username: anzmedia and password: 10092az .
About Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than any other airline, including non-stop flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Vancouver to New Zealand, as well as Los Angeles non-stop to the Cook Islands and Samoa. Other popular destinations include Australia, China, Japan and Tonga. In addition to flying non-stop Los Angeles-London, Air New Zealand's route between London and Hong Kong now allows customers to fly round-the-world on one airline. Consistently rated among the world's best international airlines, Air New Zealand's new Inflight Concierge Service provides all passengers with a range of services, from travel advice to assistance with onward bookings. Air New Zealand's most recent accolades include "Best Business Class to Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific" for the third straight year by Business Traveler Magazine (USA) "Best Transpacific Airline" at the 26th Airline Industry Awards, "Best Passenger Service" award by Air Transport World magazine, and "Best Business Class Red Wine" for the Martinborough Pinot Noir 2005 at the 2007 Cellars in the Sky awards. United Mileage Plus, US Airways Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan members earn and redeem mileage on select flights. Flight and vacation essentials can be booked on AirNewZealand.com or by calling 1-800-262-1234 in the USA and 1-800-663-5494 in Canada. Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance network.
