Airline safety videos. We’ve all probably seen enough in our lives to be able to recite them over and over, in multiple languages. But because travellers tend to be rather impatient people, the airline carriers are smartening up to transforming the vital safety information videos from three-minute-long corporate borefests, into quirky, creative and fun videos that will engage customers’ interest.
Here the Esquire Middle East team picks out ten of the top in-flight safety videos that are genuinely worth your time:
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Etihad Airways
As the new official partner of global fashion weeks, the Abu Dhabi carrier collaborated with British fashion designer Julien Macdonald to create this high-luxury tale of airline safety called Runway to Runway.
American Airlines
Trust the Americans to come up with a video that is big, ambitious and brilliant. The engaging and fluid narrative keeps your attention, if only just to marvel at how well it pulls off the complex, tracking camera shots.
Turkish Airlines
Everyone loves Zach King! Seriously, how can you not like that guy. The “king of visual illusions” is the star of the latest safety video from Turkish Airlines, who have previously relied on a bit celeb power to promote the carrier (previous ambassadors have been Kobe Bryant, Leo Messi and Manchester United).
Air France
If we were to pick a country to create a stylish, cute and fun airline safety video it would be France. The style, the humour, the elegance – they have nailed it all. Bon. Tres Bon!
Virgin Atlantic
When it comes to all around creativity, Virgin Atlantic is next level. This awesome animated video not only starts by running down what people think of safety videos, but it then delves into a brilliant and quirky time-travelling gallavant through genres and decades.
Air New Zealand
Hey, did you know that The Hobbit was filmed in New Zealand? Yeah, everyone did, which is why Air New Zealand have gone with a tongue-in-cheek version of a safety video that both mocks and celebrates the stereotype… it even has Elijah Wood in it.
British Airways
The British charity Comic Relief, is a big deal in the UK and uses comedy and celebrity in a wonderful way to raise money for poverty stricken countries. British Airways teamed up with the charity in 2017, as comedian Asim Chaudhry leads a cast of the UK’s finest actors in hilarious audition sketches.
Virgin America
Oh you knew that there was going to be a full-on dance-y entry on this list somewhere! It will also come as little surprise that is comes from Virgin America. Big, poppy and very High School Musical – it is essentially a healthy and safety music video.
LATAM
The Latin American carrier has come up with a rather creative, travel-based video that is a fun watch and reminds you just how varied a landscape South America has. Kinda makes you want to go there, no?
Singapore Airlines
Occupying the more culturally-focused territory, Singapore Airline’s inflight safety video is essentially just a really good promotional video of Singapore as a tourist destination.
BONUS
While not exactly an official safety video, Emirates’ activation during a Benfica football game was worthy of praise.
