In a world first, Qantas and Disney have ‘premi-aired’ the Australian release of Disney’s new family animated feature ‘Planes’ on a Qantas flight at 30,000 feet. Celebrities Jessica Marais, James Stewart, Neil Perry, Merrick Watts, Danielle Spencer, Michael Slater and David Campbell featured on the event’s red carpet prior to boarding a Qantas Boeing 767 with a special ‘Planes’ livery – the largest decorative decal ever featured on a Qantas aircraft.
Once in the sky, ‘Planes’ star and voice of ‘Rochelle’ Jessica Marais led the excited young Disney fans onboard the flight in a countdown to launch the new movie on iPads. Guests then watched the movie while enjoying their special in-flight menu of ice cream and popcorn.
Disney’s ‘Planes’, an action-packed 3D animated comedy adventure tells the story of Dusty, a crop duster with dreams of competing as a high-flying air racer. The story also features Rochelle (voiced by Marais in a localized version of the film), a confident and capable Australian plane with a kangaroo painted on her side, who got her start running mail to small towns in Tasmania and developed a knack for fast travel that ultimately inspired her to give air racing a try.
“Storytelling and loveable characters are at the heart of everything Disney does,” said John Cracknell, Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company Australia.
“As a parent, it’s magical to see the kids’ faces light up as they watch Disney’s ‘Planes’ on a Qantas 767 while soaring above Australia.”
Olivia Wirth, Group Executive Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, said Qantas was pleased to work with Disney to launch the new film and was thrilled at the success of the event.
“Today’s premiere was a hit with our younger passengers and their parents. I’m sure Disney’s ‘Planes’ will be a very popular movie choice when it airs on Qantas’ inflight entertainment system from October.”
Disney’s ‘Planes’ takes off in cinemas for the September school holidays and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select cinemas.
Visit the Qantas Newsroom for pictures from the ‘Planes’ premiere Red Carpet.
Visit disney.com.au to view the trailer of Disney’s ‘Planes’. Twitter: #QFdisneyplanes
Media Contacts:
Disney: Wendy Smith P: +61 3 9832 6120 E: wendy.smith@disney.com
Qantas: Kira Reed P: +61 2 9691 4574 E:qantasmedia@qantas.com.au
About The Walt Disney Company in Australia and New Zealand
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a diversified international family entertainment enterprise with five business segments and is a Dow 30 company with revenues of $41 billion in its most recently reported fiscal year. The Walt Disney Company has been active in Australia since 1988 and has two offices in Melbourne and Sydney. The Walt Disney Company is one of the most active and largest foreign entertainment companies in Australia with diversified businesses in film, consumer products, publishing, mobile content, theatre, television and family entertainment. For more information about The Walt Disney Company please visit: http://corporate.disney.go.com/
About QANTAS
The world’s second oldest airline, Qantas was founded in the Queensland outback in 1920 and has grown to be Australia’s largest domestic and international airline. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s most respected full-service airlines and one of the strongest brands in Australia, with an outstanding reputation for excellence in safety, customer service, operational efficiency and technical innovation.
Qantas offers services across a network spanning 206 destinations in 53 countries, including Australia and those served by codeshare partner airlines. Domestically, Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar operate more than 6300 flights a week and internationally, Qantas and Jetstar operate more than 920 flights each week. Qantas has a leading Frequent Flyer program with over 9 million members globally.
From Australia, Qantas operates services to five Disney destinations including Los Angeles, Orlando, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Paris.
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