A good sign that we’re moving back to ‘normal’ in the travel world is the introduction of fresh airline safety videos that use a bit of wit and whimsey to get passeners to pay attention to the important safety instructions.
British Airways has a new safety video that will roll out on the carrier’s long-haul aircraft starting May 1, 2023.
The five-minute video features British Airways staff in key roles as well as as a cameo by British rapper, Little Simz, who takes off her headphones, and remarks ‘What?!’ in response to one of the instructions.
Elsewhere, a real-life farmer and two fishermen are shown inflating their life jackets.
In addition to drawing attention to the safety instructions, “we also wanted to inject some wit and showcase Britishness, and all the quirks that put us on the map by shining a light on real life people – from fishermen and chip shop workers to friends hanging out, as well as some well known faces who help put Britain on a stage,” said Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer.
Take a look at the new safety video and let us know what you think.
And just for fun, here are some great airline safety videos from the past
Oh what we’d give to be on an airplane watching a safety video right now.
Better yet, one of the charming and quirky safety videos that Air New Zealand puts together.
With borders closed due to COVID-19, most long-haul flights to and from New Zealand have been grounded and international visitors are staying home.
So Air New Zealand teamed up with Tourism New Zealand for this new safety video being shown now on domestic flights.
In the video we see various destinations across New Zealand vying to be named the 8th Wonder of the World. And, of course, we see the important safety instructions for flyers.
“The video assists in supporting the recovery of international tourism once borders reopen, ” says Air New Zealand Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty. “We know the decision-making process for visitors to come to New Zealand will be different into the future – so we need to be building the appeal and desire now in international markets in anticipation of borders reopening. It’s important to keep New Zealand as a visitor destination top of mind.”
Take a look and let us know what you think. We’ve also added some of our favorite ANZ safety videos and TV commercials from the past.
Spider-Man weaves through
United Airlines’ newest safety video
Spider-Man poses with United Airlines employees who appear in the new safety demonstration video – courtesy United Airlines
F
For a story on USA TODAY, I was invited to be on set during part of the filming for United Airlines’ new safety demonstration video featuring Spider-Man – and friends.
Here’s the story, And the video.
“Spider-Man: Far From Home” won’t be in movie theaters until
July 2 but, starting today, fans of the webbed wonder (and of hidden film references
known as Easter eggs) will be able to see Spider-Man in action in United Airlines’ newest inflight safety demonstration video.
United
Airlines, Sony and Marvel worked together to weave the Federal Aviation Administration’s
required safety instructions into a fast-paced, short (4:44) film starring
Spider-Man, a trio of villains, and some of Spider-Man’s friends.
“We’ve kept the worlds of Spider-Man and United safety
separate, but together,” said Daniel Cuellar, Director of Global Advertising
for United, “Crew members, as always, are doing the demos and giving
instructions, but there’s an underlying fun Spider-Man aspect to it.”
And some cool
special effects.
“That’s the benefit of partnering with Sony,” said United’s Vice President of Marketing,
Mark Krolick. “We were able to make this safety video with movie
theater-style production and effects. It’s not something we usually have the
opportunity to do and I think our customers will appreciate the higher production
value.”
And, United hopes, pay attention in a world where airlines
try to out-do each other with engaging safety videos.
“There is
plenty of evidence that learning is more effective when there is play and fun
involved, and these videos follow a trend of gamification and entertainment of
information,” said Sabrina Habib, a professor of Visual Communications at the
University of South Carolina.
Spoiler alert: here’s the plot of
United’s new Spider-Man-themed safety video
On the set during filming of the United Airlines new safety video. Photo Harriet Baskas
In United’s
new safety video, villains cause trouble at the corner store owned by Mr.
Delmar (played by Hemky Madera). Spider-Man happens to be nearby and springs
into action. He chases the goons into a movie theater, to a park fountain, and down
a dark alley; captures them all; and leaves them neatly wrapped up in a web
with a handwritten note for the authorities that says “All Yours! Gotta Fly.
Spider-Man.”
If you pay attention,
you’ll notice a framed photo of the late comic book writer and Marvel super
hero creator Stan Lee in the store. That’s Spider-Man movie character Eugene
“Flash” Thompson (played by Toni Revolori) helping to demonstrate safety
instructions about putting electronic devices into airplane mode.
And, while you
may not know who they are, some of the extras in the video are people who bid
their MileagePlus miles for a chance to be part of the project.
There’s more:
Spider-Man’s
alter ego, Peter Parker, has a best friend, Ned (played by Jacob Batalon) who is
in-line outside a movie theater when Spider-Man streaks by chasing a goon into
the theater. They race by a man walking down the sidewalk, played by none other
than United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz.
“Wow, that must be
some good movie,” says man-on-the street Munoz
“Yeah, I hear the
best friend’s hilarious,” replies Ned.
During filming of the street scene outside the classic
Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles this past January, Munoz was having fun
bantering with the production crew and was patient and good-natured about the
multiple takes.
Off the set, there was an upcoming earnings report
and the impact the partial government shutdown was having on the airline
industry to think about, but Munoz felt taking time to do this safety video
cameo was important.
Besides being
fun for him to do, “It brings an awareness that while United is incredibly serious
about issues of safety and operational reliability,” said Munoz, “Were are
the also the ‘The Friendly Skies’ and we want to be friendly and fun. I think
this gives us that narrative.”
United CEO Oscar Munoz, Spider-Man and Jacob Batalon (‘Ned’). Photo_Harriet Baskas
How did United
Airlines rope Spider-Man into a safety video appearance?
United is not only an official airline sponsor for the new
Spider-Man movie; one of its airplanes has a cameo in the film.
In “Spider-Man: Far From Home.” Peter Parker and his high
school classmates go on a class trip to Europe, stopping in London, Venice, Prague
and a few other places. United flew a 777-200, retrofitted with the Polaris business
cabin, to London for a week of shooting.
“There are lots of different scenes of the kids going over
and coming back.” said United’s global advertising director Daniel Cuellar,
“Peter Parker has one very rich friend who’s flying in Polaris while everyone
else is flying in economy. So there’s lots of great footage of the aircraft.
And when the kids come home from Europe, they filmed in Newark Airport as
well.”
Other tie-ins
United’s “Spider-Man:
Far From Home” tie-in goes beyond the safety video and the aircraft cameo in
the film.
Starting in
June, travelers in United’s Polaris business class will get a Spider-Man-themed
amenity kit, in red or blue, which includes a Spidey-branded eye mask and
socks, alongside tissues and other branded personal care items.
The airline is
also inviting MileagePlus members to bid award miles
for a chance to attend the “Spider-Man: Far from Home” premiere in Los Angeles
on June 26 or to use award miles to attend pre-release screenings in seven of
the airline’s hub cities.
Singapore Airlines has unveiled its new in-flight safety video, which not only reminds passengers of the safety procedures to be mindful of, but takes viewers on a panoramic journey across Singapore.
In the video, passengers follow the Singapore Girl as she travels to landmarks such as Boat Quay, The Intan Peranakan Home Museum, River Safari, Haji Lane, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Henderson Waves, Capitol Theatre and Gardens by the Bay.
It may be winter up north, but it’s summer in New Zealand. And what’s a new season without a new airline safety video?
Here’s the latest from Air New Zealand. Unlike the “Nothing to Hide” ANZ safety video from 2009 (below), in this one everyone keeps all their clothes on. Even supermodel Rachel Hunter.
