The "Bare Essentials of Safety" video on Air New Zealand flights features a pilot and three cabin staffers wearing nothing but body paint applied to look like uniforms as they demonstrate safety techniques.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — 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.

The "Bare Essentials of Safety," screening in the cabins of planes flying Air New Zealand's main domestic routes, has gone viral online. It had 1.2 million YouTube views by Friday, four days after it was launched.

In the video, three cabin staff and a pilot, all in full body paint applied to look like uniforms, talk viewers through safety procedures.

A demonstration seat belt, life jacket and arm rests are strategically positioned during the 3Z\x-minute video to protect the cabin crew's ... discretion. Passengers are shown ogling, mostly in appreciation.

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."

"We think in tough times there's a premium for making people smile, and it gives the opportunity to stand out in a crowd," Air New Zealand's marketing General Manager Steve Bayliss said.