British Airways is taking on Air New Zealand with the launch of a star-studded inflight safety video.

In light of Comic Relief, or Red Nose Day in the UK, the British carrier has created an inflight safety information video with a lineup of local celebrities.

British Airways has released a director's cut of the video - a spoof audition tape, showing famous stars auditioning for parts - ahead of its release in September.

British comedian Asim Chaudhry, known by his stand-up name Chabuddy G, features in the six-minute long video, playing the part of a casting director, along with chef Gordon Ramsey, Rowan Atkinson, best known for his role of Mr Bean, and actress Thandie Newton.

Set out like a casting audition, Chabuddy G interviews actor Chiwetel Ejiofor and other stars for the roles of the inflight narrators. This is followed by the celebrities reading out safety instructions.

In the video Ramsey can be seen expressing himself in the explicit way he is known for.

"F*** me, you ****," Ramsey says to Chabuddy G.

Veteran stars Sir Ian McKellen and Jim Broadbent, and actress Gillian Anderson take turns reading out lines.

McKellen is teamed in a scene with actor Warwick Davies for a segment about air-supply masks.

The director's cut version of the video finishes with Atkinson stumbling around trying to collect the coins he dropped on the floor, for donation.

The full version safety video created to raise awareness for Comic Relief will be shown on all British Airways flights starting from September 1.