Kiwi couples wed in world's highest altitude wedding

Five Kiwi couples tied the knot at more than 12,000 metres in the air this week - setting the record for the world's highest altitude wedding on an aeroplane.

Fiji Airways, formerly Air Pacific, marked its rebranding with a search to marry five couples aboard its Fiji Airways A330 aircraft on a flight from Auckland to Nadi.

More than 440 New Zealand couples entered the competition, which also offered a free honeymoon on Fiji's Denerau Island.

The couples had to wed at a minimum of 12,192 metres to set the record, and clocked up 12,496 metres as they exchanged their vows.

The cabin was fitted out with traditional Fijian artwork for a celebration that saw the couples beat the Guinness World Records title for 'Highest altitude wedding on an aeroplane'.

Fiji Airways acting chief executive Aubrey Swift said the airline was delighted to set a new world record.

"This was a unique idea to get five couples married on board, in our bid to raise awareness of the new airline branding and of Fiji as a wedding and honeymoon destination," Mr Swift said.

The airline kept the record aspect of the stunt secret from the couples, enjoying their reaction when they found out, he said.

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