KFC Launches Airline, 'Zing Air', To Take Rugby Fans to Matches

Hold onto your drumsticks because this Super Rugby season, KFC is taking fan loyalty to new heights - literally. 

Introducing Zing Air, KFC’s first private airline service, set to deliver lucky fans from around New Zealand straight from their hometown to a rugby match to support their favourite team. 

In celebration of KFC’s 12-year partnership with the five New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific teams (Blues, Hurricanes, Gallagher Chiefs, Highlanders and Crusaders), KFC has developed a flight plan to get Kiwis to the match faster than you can say “extra seasoning.” 

So, how does it work? It’s simple, pop onto the KFC App, add the Zing Air boarding pass to your cart, and you could be lucky enough to chick-in like a boss!

The Zing Air campaign has been ideated, executed and amplified through KFC’s Agency Village, including Special PR, Stanley St, PHD, Drum and Culture.

Special PR led brand experience, media relations and influencer relations; Stanley St led the TV and Out Of Home; PHD led media planning and strategy; Culture led the Social content and Drum led in-stadium activation and rugby partnerships.

The first Zing Air flight departs Auckland on Saturday, March 1, and goes directly to Sky Stadium in Wellington. There, passengers can watch the Blues take on the Hurricanes.

Five flights will depart from various cities throughout the season to ensure fans across Aotearoa can book themselves a KFC Zing Air boarding pass.

Whether you’re cheering for the Blues, Hurricanes, Gallagher Chiefs, Highlanders, or Crusaders, you can check the KFC app to see if a Zing Air flight is departing from a city near you soon.

Passengers on KFC Zing Air can expect to fly on a private jet with a mate, accommodation for the night and primo seats at the game. And, of course, the Colonel’s finest chicken, coated in the iconic 11 Secret herbs and spices, will be served as part of a pre-match meal.

Clark Wilson, restaurant brands NZ marketing director, commented, “We’ve completely reinvented the shape of our marketing campaign for rugby - we’ve put an activation at the heart of the creative and used that to drive headlines and engagement.”

He added, “This has been a massive piece of work across our entire agency village, as well as countless internal teams and leaders.  We hope it will drive more interest and excitement for the rugby season amongst the broadest possible fan base.”

The campaign will be amplified throughout the Super Rugby season through AV, OOH, social and digital, PR and in-stadium activations.

All Zing Air flights are carbon-neutral. KFC has engaged with a carbon offsetting scheme, EKOS, to offset 100% of the carbon emissions from flights via a native planting project, the Kern Creek Forest Conservation Project in Maruia.

KFC Zing Air boarding passes are live on the app from today, Tuesday, 11 February with several double passes across five flights up for grabs throughout the season. T&C’s apply here.