Travel Tech Q&A: Air New Zealand's Rico

We had the privilege of interviewing Air New Zealand's cute and furry ambassador Rico, who shared some valuable travel tips and "touchy feely" tech aboard Air New Zealand's planes.

Rico's increasing fame has come about from numerous interviews on Air New Zealand's Skycouch with well-known celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff (or as Rico called him, "The") and got "some fur on" with Snoop Dog. You can also see one of his ever-so-cheeky ads for Air New Zealand below.

Please pardon Rico's Engrish as he answers our Travel Tech questions.

Disclaimer: we take no responsibility for any double entendres you may get from reading the interview (and watching the video below).

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you became the ambassador of Air New Zealand?

Wells, I am Rico, the citizen of world and like to beating off the track, in many place arounds world. I have bean doing this for many year, is natural to me — in fact I born on plane!

I becomes Air New Zealand ambastador after I flying on new 77777-3 plane and man withs camera ask if I wants be in movie flim. I say yes and he make the shorts film with me and the rest is historical.

What kind of tech can people find aboard Air New Zealand planes?

On 77777-3 plane the seat are so technowledge — they have touchy feely screens you can order food and the drink with. Also, you can plugs in your iPood or digital Camaro into screen. You cans massage other passenger with plane chat (a bit likes Twitter) and on new A320 planes you can use mobility phone on plane!

What tech do you travel with and why?

I always have handphone and liptop withs me so can share my travellings with Twit and Face friend. I use Tripadvising, Wotis? and Lovely Planet all time, also Skyte and Goggle map when I loose myself somewear new. I also take electro blow dryer and lint brush.

What tech do you miss from home?

I haves no home for many year now — I love out of suitcase. However, back in parent home in Galapalogolos Island, I miss my papa's fish smokerer and the black and wide television I grows up watching.

Most memorable travel story/experience

I thinks best mammary was first time I to New Zealands. I had hear many thing about it, but nots until I see her South Island I realise why Hollyswood love making film there so much! Her mountain and beaches were blowing me away!

What was your biggest travel disaster?

One times I itch hiking in Panamana and when get ride in backs of truck. I think I just going to Colon, buts fall asleep and next day I wakes up on snuggling boat to Cuba!

Personal travel advice/tip?

I recommendings spraying nice aroma on youself before making flight to make many friend on plane. I also think is goods wearing no pants. I not wear all year round and it make the travelising so comfort!

How do you deal with jet lag?

Long time ago, I buy new body clock from airport shop and ever since then no problem. I think also very good to is to eat many dried fish before long flight.

Is there one thing you must do before you leave home?

I always make good grooming before I leaves hotel. Have you ever try licking all body fur before? It take long time I thinks!

What is your dream travel tech to have on planes/in airports/at hotels? (Stuff they don't have yet but boy, would it make life so much easier on the road)

It would be goods to have handphone app that make my Anglish speaking better as some people not understanding me all the time. Or maybe viberating seats on plane? Viberations make many people smile and have happy time in the sky I think.

Name one thing you wish your iPod/phone/laptop could do that it doesn't do now?

Sometime I wish could shaves with my handphone. Maybe could be call iShave? Also if iPood could be remote controller for suitcase, so can drive its around while in deporting lounge I would like this.

Which airport would you prefer to be stranded at and why?

Queenstown in New Zealands because she is one most pictureful places in world. Even if wait long time, is okay as her allpine air so fresh and view outside like no other palace on Earth.