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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- New Zealand's national airline has adopted a cheeky way to encourage passengers to watch its in-flight safety video: The cabin crew's uniforms are nothing but body paint.

Now I admit it wholeheartedly. I don't pay one tiny bit of attention to the fight staff when they run though their emergency routine. At best I might glance at the make and model of the aircraft (I prefer Boeing and MD to Airbus and Canadian aircraft) just for the heck of it but nothing else. After all these years I know where the exits are, I know how to open them in an emergency, I know where my life vest is and really if you don't know how to put on a seat belt by now you shouldn't be allowed out of the house un-escorted. Air masks - check, no smoking - check, wear seat belts while seated - check. American doesn't accept cash any more for snacks. Meals cost $5 and snacks between 2-3. Blah blah blah. No one watches and no one cares. Seasoned travelers know the routine and just want to get to an altitude where they can turn their computers and ipods back on again.

The body paint idea is also being used in a series of television advertisements in New Zealand for the airline, which include the promise: ''At Air New Zealand, our fares have nothing to hide.''

Anyway I applaud this bit of innovation. And it's a nifty advertisement to go without underwear to encourage people to fly down under.