Qantas has released its first safety video in four years. The 10-minute video features stunning cinematography with the airline’s crew and frequent fliers giving safety instructions from breathtaking locations around the world.
Adopting a similar style to most other airlines over the past decade, the video looks more like a short film or tourism ad than a safety briefing.
What’s interesting is that the new video does not feature any shots of aircraft or even a cabin interior.
However, at the beginning it does show an Airbus H125 helicopter, with a Qantas pilot saying: “Today, I’m flying an Airbus H125 helicopter, and you’re on a Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner.”
However, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner does not feature in the short video, nor does any other type of aircraft.
And the video continues to adopt a more creative approach when it comes to demonstrating safety features and instructions – using objects and scenarios completely outside of an aircraft.
The only safety feature demonstration to feature an aircraft is the emergency landing, which is explained via a short animation.
Elsewhere in the video, Indian dancers in Jaipur, India, quickly demonstrate the brace position while seated in ornate chairs.
Passengers are instructed on how to properly stow luggage in overhead compartments and space under the aircraft seat with a scene from a shop in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Public feedback and reaction
Public feedback is centered on the video’s overall lack of focus on safety.
One comment on Qantas’ Facebook page said that the video is a “wonderful advertisement” for Qantas, but missed the mark when it comes to safety.
Others thought that 10 minutes was simply too long.
A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge, a Facebook group for aviation professionals, pointed out the confusing message at the beginning of the video, and also the absence of cabin interiors or even a “pretend plane”.
The importance of a clear and basic safety video
When Japan Airlines flight 516 was involved in a fiery collision on January 2, 2024 at Haneda Airport (HND), the crew managed to evacuate everyone safely with zero casualties.
One of the factors that was attributed to the successful evacuation was Japan Airlines’ effective safety video, which adhered to a less stunning but more informative and traditional format of safety briefing.
