Hairy flight plan

Photo / Supplied

The last thing anyone wants is a close shave at 30,000ft - but that's exactly what a plane load of Air New Zealand passengers got yesterday.

The airline put on a free flight from Auckland to the Queenstown Winter Festival for anyone willing to shave their head for charity.

All 97 passengers - and crew - were given a preliminary cut at the departure gate, and the full shave was carried out by a team of hairdressers at altitude.

They had all secured sponsorship of at least $500 each, raising more than $75,000 for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation.