Betty White straps in for new Air NZ safety video

American actress Betty White has teamed up with a cast of fellow golden oldies to star in Air New Zealand's latest in-flight safety video.

The 'Safety Old School Style' video, which launches today, features the former Golden Girls' actress with fellow residents of the fictional 'Second Wind Retirement Resort' in the United States. The funny four-minute clip is the latest effort from the airline, famed for its in-flight safety videos, which have previously featured Hobbits, fitness guru Richard Simmons and TV adventurer Bear Grylls.

White says she had been exploring opportunities to work with Air New Zealand for some time.

"Air New Zealand has a global reputation for creating unique in-flight safety videos," said the multiple Emmy Award winner.

"When the opportunity came up to be involved in this project, I couldn't say no.

"We had a lot of fun on set and I think we've shown that it doesn't matter what age you are, it's important to live life to the full."

It is the airline's first safety video filmed outside of New Zealand.

American actor Gavin MacLeod, famous for his role as Captain Stubing on TV's 'The Love Boat' and as White's former co-star on the 'Mary Tyler Moore Show', makes a cameo appearance, while a cast of fun-loving retirees, including actor Jimmy Weldon, aka the voice of Yakky Doodle duck in the 'Yogi Bear Show', take audiences through the safety briefing.

Air New Zealand Head of Global Brand Development Jodi Williams said White was the ideal partner for the airline's latest safety video offering.

"In Betty we found the perfect partner - she is renowned for being a little bit cheeky and with a career spanning 74 years, who better to learn survival tips from than the award-winning show business veteran?" she said.

"As a small airline at the bottom of the world, we have to think outside the square when it comes to driving brand awareness and conveying important safety messages to our millions of customers.

"Partnering with influencers like Betty has proven an effective way of doing this."

The airline's safety videos have collectively clocked up more than 25 million views online and have featured in coverage by global media outlets, such as CNN, BBC and the New York Times.