Media Release
PM a popular celebrity seat buddy
Auckland – 25 September 2014
Perhaps it’s no surprise, John Key romped to victory in the election, with Kiwis voting him one of the people they’d
most like to sit next to on a plane.
Leading travel website Wotif has released New Zealand traveller’s picks for Kiwi celebrity seat buddies on the back of a recent survey.
Wotif spokesperson, Kirsty La Bruniy said that 26% of New Zealand respondents revealed a New Zealand politician topped
their list of celeb seat buddy.
“The newly re-elected John Key was the second most popular kiwi celebrity travellers want to share an armrest with,
second only to Richie McCaw” Ms La Bruniy said.
“There was a range of reasons for wanting to sit next to New Zealand’s Prime Minister, a majority were really interested
in him as a person (33%) or were keen to give him some advice (30%).
“Only 13% of the reasons for wanting John Key as a seat buddy were negative, with one eager passenger choosing him
because they think he’s handsome and others hoping that sitting next to the Prime Minister would mean business class
seats.
“ The opposition leader, David Cunliffe wasn’t quite as popular with less than 1% of New Zealand respondents hoping to
nab a seat next to him.”
Ms La Bruniy said Richie McCaw was the Kiwi celebrity most New Zealand respondents wanted to enjoy a flight next to.
“Unsurprisingly, 20% of respondents hope to see Richie walking down the aisle towards them,” Ms La Bruniy said.
“The main reasons for wanting to get some time with our national hero was to talk sport or in the hope it would lead to
them, or their daughter, becoming Mrs McCaw.”
Head to wotif now to book your next flight – you never know who you might end up next to.
The top New Zealand celeb seat buddies
1. Richie McCaw
2. John Key
3. Rachel Hunter
4. Peter Jackson
5. Dan Carter
6. Paul Henry