Air New Zealand calls out Emirates for apparently copying goose TV commercial

Emirates' new ad campaign has some people crying fowl due to its similarity to an ad released by Air New Zealand more than four years ago.

In the new promotion, 'Gerry the Goose' experiences all the luxuries of flying on Emirates including the service, food and comfort.

It's a trip much like the one experienced by 'Dave the Goose' on Air NZ back in 2018.

The similarities have even prompted Air NZ to release a special video on social media, clarifying that it was the original airline for long-haul travelling geese.

"What are you doing on Emirates, Gerry?" Dave asks of his feathered friend.

Air NZ's video ends with the claim it has provided "a better way to fly for geese since 2016".

Air New Zealand calls out Emirates for apparently copying goose TV commercial
Photo credit: Air New Zealand

Dave the Goose was the face - or beak - of Air NZ's 'Better Way to Fly' campaign. Gerry the Goose flies alongside Emirates similar message 'Fly Better'.

Both ads feature the star geese looking out the window observing fellow geese flying the hard way to the same destination.

Air New Zealand calls out Emirates for apparently copying goose TV commercial
Photo credit: Emirates

In the Emirates commercial, a young bird asks "are we there yet?"; while in the Air NZ ad, one bird asks another: "When do we land, mate?"

An Air NZ spokesperson told Newshub the airline is very proud to be the original carriers of geese.

"We love the goose, that's why we did it six years ago. Imitation is the sincerest form of flappery after, all," they said.

Emirates is yet to respond to questions from Newshub.