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Safety demonstration videos on flights are extremely important and its essential that all passengers pay attention to the video that is provided. The main question airlines ask themselves is, how do you catch the attention of numerous passengers and then how do you keep their attention for the duration of the video? That is why today when you travel via the air and on long haul flights in particular, airlines use a more spiced up safety video compared to the generic ones from years ago. In today’s post, we will explore the facts and progression of safety videos and then finish the post with my top five favorite demonstration videos that are currently in the air today!

 

 

 

Before take-off every airline is required to orally brief their passengers on the safety features of their particular aircraft. This rule is set out by nations civil aviation authority and is recommended by international civil law. The way in which these videos are presented can depend on the airline, destination, and entertainment system. For example, when I traveled to Orlando with southwest airlines from Indianapolis the safety video was a manual demonstration by members of the crew with one member orally presenting via the intercom, but when I traveled to New York with United, they had a pre-recorded demonstration tape and the crew just did the demonstrations.  So when you travel internally it just depends on the airline and destination. Although on domestic flights the way in which the safety demonstration is presented differs, on every long haul flight their should be a video demonstration. This is due to the aircraft being larger and having more on board like the entertainment system. Even though I have noted that there are different ways in which airlines can do their safety demonstrations they all must include a list of required material to put in their videos, below I have provided what that material is:

[SOURCE: "Pre-flight Safety Demonstration." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 July 2017. Web. 20 July 2017.]

  • "demonstrating or telling passengers that the safety card shows the brace position and must be adopted on hearing the "Brace Brace" command during an emergency landing. (sometimes called the safety position) (not required in the United States and certain other countries)
  • the use of the seat belt. Some airlines recommend or require that passengers keep their seatbelt fastened at all times in case of unexpected turbulence.
  • the requirement that passengers must comply with lighted signs, posted placards, and crew members instructions (Generally only included in safety demonstrations on Australian, New Zealand, and American carriers as the CASA (AU), CAA (NZ) and FAA (US) require it to be stated). Most other airlines only include the seatbelt and no smoking signs.
  • the location and use of the emergency exits, evacuation slides and emergency floor lighting
    • that all passengers should locate their nearest exit, which may be behind them
  • the requirements for sitting in an emergency exit row (varies by country and airline), in the United States it must also be stated that exit row passengers may be required to assist the crew in an evacuation.
  • that all passengers must leave all carry on bags behind during an evacuation
  • the use of the oxygen mask (not included on some turboprops which do not fly high enough to need supplemental oxygen in a decompression emergency) with associated reminders:
    • that the passenger should always fit his or her own mask on before helping children, the disabled, or persons requiring assistance.
    • that even though oxygen will be flowing to the mask, the plastic bag may not inflate (required in the United States after a woman fatally removed her mask thinking it was not working). Some planes such as the Boeing 787 do not include plastic bags in the oxygen masks.
    • On some planes, if there is a strap, the passenger must pull down on the strap to retrieve the mask.
  • the location and use of the life vests, life rafts and flotation devices (not always included if the flight does not overfly or fly near vast masses of water although is required by the FAA (US) on any aircraft equipped with life vests)
  • the use of passenger seat cushions as flotation devices (typically only included on aircraft that do not provide life vests)
  • reminders -
    • that smoking is not allowed on board, including in the lavatories (some airlines, including the US on all Domestic flights and international flights going to and from the US,[9] also ban electronic cigarettes[10]).
    • that US federal law prohibits tampering with, disabling or destroying lavatory smoke detectors
    • that the use of mobile phones is not allowed during flight, unless placed in "airplane mode" or the wireless capability is turned off
    • that laptops and other electronics may only be used once the aircraft is at cruising altitude and the Captain turns off the fasten seat-belt sign.
    • that passengers must ask a flight attendant prior to using electronics
    • that seatbacks and tray tables should be in their upright and locked position, headrest stowed, and carry-on luggage stowed in the overhead locker or underneath a seat prior to takeoff.
      • and in most cases, if seated next to a window, the window blinds must be raised for take off and landing. The Boeing 787 does not have window blinds.
    • to review the safety information card prior to takeoff or to follow along during the demonstration" 

 

Now that we have covered the basics we can finally take a look a the progression of safety videos. The first video provided is a old BMI (British Midland International) video which, in my opinion is very bland. Yes, the video goes through all of the required information but it doesn't catch or keep my attention at all. Take a look and see what you think. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next video provided is the old American Airlines video (they just created a new one this year). I like this one because of its warming and inviting introduction, it makes the passenger feel good about choose them as an airline. I also like that they use numerous people from the company in the video, for me it shows how the airline connects. I will say though, that I loose my attention as the video goes back to the basic listing that we saw in the BMI video but, it is certainly an improvement. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The final video is Virgin America! This video is fantastic! It not only includes all of the required information but also has some singing and crazy choreography! This video catches my attention from the start and keeps me going to the end which is exactly what airlines want! This is also the perfect example of what airlines are doing all around the world to spice up their safety demonstration game: make the video more intriguing like an entertainment show and less like a boring high school teacher in a class lecture! Take a look and then you'll understand what I mean! 

 

 

 

Now that you have read through the basics and seen the progression its time to show you my top five favorite airline safety videos. (Number 5 is my favorite) Enjoy! 

 

Ash's top five favorites:

1. American Airlines

Cool and quirky: impressive 

 

 

 

 

 

2. British Airways

Major fan of BA! and love this all british cast! great touch!

 

 

 

 

3. Virgin Atlantic

 

My Favorite airline so have to add this! and extremely creative! 

 

 

 

 

4. Qatar Airways

A close second! I love the creativeness of this and FC Barcelona! 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Air France (MY FAVORITE) its so cool and groovy! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well thats all for today! If you liked what you saw make sure to come back and check out other posts! But for now, have a great day and thanks for reading! 

 

Any questions on todays post or any others please contact me:

Email: Ashleigh.swan@live.com

Cell: 317-625-8199

 

grazie mille,

Ash