Air New Zealand teams up with WETA workshops to create a Lord of the Rings inspired in-flight safety video, with a cameo from director Peter Jackson.

AIRNZ goes middle earth, dressing flight attendants as Hobbits and elves in an inflight instruction video that travellers are raving about.

Called The Unexpected Briefing. the video was produced ahead of the much anticipated release of the first movie of The Hobbit trilogy.

It even features a cameo by Sir Peter Jackson.

Look out when the lights go out – Gollum is searching for his precious.

Posted on YouTube the video has received rave reviews with some saying it is the “best commercial ever”.

Trebuchet221 writes: “I've never been in an airplane in my life, but Air New Zealand is already my favourite airline. Great video :)”

While towreswe posted: “I've never paid this much attention to a security briefing before.”

So sit back, relax and enjoy the ride to middle earth.