Poll Finds Angelinos Can't Live without Their Flip-Flops.

Air New Zealand discovers LA's flip-flop fetish 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The City of Angels joins New Zealand in the flip-flop fan club. According to a new survey, Angelinos are so loyal to the footwear that nearly half of those surveyed would rather give up their iPod than their favorite flip-flops.

The survey, conducted by Kelton Research on behalf of Air New Zealand, found that flip-flops are a way of life for Angelinos. In fact, no location is inappropriate for their comfort shoe: 52 percent of flip-flop owners have worn flip-flops to restaurants, 39 percent to school and 19 percent to work.

Angelinos equate flip-flops (called Jandals in New Zealand) with comfort and relaxation. Eighty-one percent said putting on a pair of flip-flops is a good way to unwind or feel more relaxed and 67 percent agree their flip-flops are more comfortable than any other footwear. The survey found that even at home flip-flops are more popular than slippers.

The average L.A. resident owns three pairs of flip-flops and wears them nearly one-third of the year. The survey revealed that wearing flip-flops during various activities builds confidence. Seventy-two percent of men and women drive in them. Of those, eight in 10 are women, compared to two-thirds men. However, almost twice as many men as women reported being able to work out in flip-flops.

The survey also found that more than half of L.A. residents rarely travel without flip-flops. Sixty-three percent of women always pack their favorite pair, compared to 49 percent of men. Similarly, air travel attire is strictly casual. Nearly nine out of 10 Angelinos (89 percent) said when flying dressing for maximum comfort is ideal. Three out of four surveyed prefer to dress casual and 15 percent prefer to wear loungewear.

To celebrate Angelinos' love for flip-flops, the kiwi airline has launched the "Flip My Flop" campaign to highlight the non-stop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Air New Zealand embraces L.A. culture and encourages Angelinos to wear flip-flops on their planes and be treated to the outstanding kiwi service.

"Angelinos sense of casual elegance resonates among the Kiwis," said Roger Poulton, Air New Zealand's vice president - Americas. "By using a flip flop as an iconic symbol, we want to combine LA's chilled out style with the Kiwi quirky attitude to create a unique journey to London."

Currently, a round-trip ticket is $499 for Economy, $1,399 for Premium Economy and $3,499 for Business Class. For more information about Air New Zealand's Flip My Flop campaign, please go to www.airnewzealand.com.

About the Poll

The Air New Zealand Survey was conducted by Kelton Research between March 24-28, 2008, using an email invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey results does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 5.7 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all person in the universe represented by the sample.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand offers more direct flights to the South Pacific than any other airline, including non-stop flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, and Vancouver to New Zealand, as well as Los Angeles non-stop to the Cook Islands and Samoa. Other popular destinations include Australia, China, Japan and Tonga. In addition to flying non-stop Los Angeles-London, Air New Zealand's route between London and Hong Kong now allows customers to fly round-the-world on one airline. Consistently rated among the world's best international airlines, Air New Zealand's most recent accolades include "Best Passenger Service" award by Air Transport World magazine, Best Airline to the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand, Business Traveler Magazine (USA) and Best Business Class Red Wine for the Martinborough Pinot Noir 2005 at the 2007 Cellars in the Sky awards. United Mileage Plus, US Airways Dividend Miles and Air Canada's Aeroplan members earn and redeem mileage on select flights. Flight and vacation essentials can be booked on AirNewZealand.com or by calling 1-800-262-1234 in the USA and 1-800-663-5494 in Canada. Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance network.