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Sexy in-flight video sparks sexism row

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Normally, flight-safety videos can be boring. They struggle to catch the attention of passengers as cabin crew take them through the procedures.

But Air New Zealand has decided to ditch those boring videos by sexing it up with bikini-clad models starring in their latest in-flight video. The models explain, in a different way, what to do in case of an emergency, the Mail Online reported.

The video, posted on YouTube, was shot in the Cooks Islands in the south Pacific. Among the models is supermodel Christie Brinkley, who puts in a guest appearance.

The 60-year-old did not go to the tropical resort island for the shoot, but played her role from her Los Angeles home.

The other models involved were Chrissy Teigen, Ariel Meredith, Hannah Davis and Jessica Gomes - some of the biggest names in bikini modelling.

The video was produced in association with Sports Illustrated to mark the 50th anniversary of the magazine's swimsuit edition. But the preview of the video has already riled feminists who slam it as "sexist", The Telegraph reported.

Air New Zealand, known for producing quirky videos, has been accused of going too far with its latest "highly sexualised" offering.

Dr Deborah Russell, a lecturer at New Zealand's Massey University, is livid.

She told FairFax newspaper: "My concern is that as a woman, I get on a plane to go to a business meeting and I am confronted by women in bikinis in what are highly sexualised images. That jars."

The airline also plans to use the video to promote its route from Auckland to Los Angeles, which offers a stop-over in the Cook Islands.

An Air New Zealand spokesman said the airline was not concerned about a potential backlash from passengers over the video's portrayal of women.

He said: "We have been careful to ensure 'Safety in Paradise' has been produced in a way that is tasteful.

"Naturally, given this safety video celebrates 50 years of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, it made sense to feature some of the magazine's most well-known models."