Best & Most Memorable Airline Safety Videos

Best & Most Memorable Airline Safety Videos

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Over the years, we’ve seen airlines put an increasing amount of effort into their safety videos. In this post I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite airline safety videos, and then I’m curious to hear what safety videos you all like most.

Personally I love this avgeek kind of stuff, just as I’ve talked about my favorite airline boarding music and my favorite airline ad campaigns.

Why some airlines put effort into safety videos

On the most basic level, an airline safety video is intended to provide essential safety information that airlines legally have to cover. Back in the day, that seemed to be how airlines approached these videos — they were simple and to the point, without much pizzaz.

However, over time we’ve seen many airlines put an increasing amount of effort into safety videos, as they’ve viewed this as a great marketing opportunity. Why?

  • Some larger airlines carry tens of millions of passengers per year, so that’s a lot of collective attention these safety videos are getting, and you might as well make it interesting and view it as a marketing opportunity
  • Some airlines (like Air New Zealand) have become known for their safety videos, and these videos are sometimes even viewed tens of millions of times online, which shows you how interesting they’ve become
  • For government owned airlines or airlines specifically serving one destination, we often see destination-themed videos, which highlight the beauty of a place, in hopes of getting people to visit
  • From a safety perspective, making a safety video entertaining can be a great way to increase engagement in the video, and cause people to pay attention; then again, there’s a fine line there, because some videos are so over-the-top that they may be distracting

I’m always impressed when airlines put effort into their videos, though as you’d expect, people have wildly different takes on these concepts. For example, a video might be hilarious and entertaining if you only fly with an airline once, while if you’re a frequent flyer, it could be very annoying.

My favorite airline safety videos

I thought it would be fun to look at some of the most memorable safety videos that we’ve seen over the years. I’m not just looking at current ones, but also ones that played in the past. Furthermore, I’m not saying I’d necessarily love to watch these videos every day, but they’re each memorable for a different reason.

I’m sure I’m missing some great videos, so I’d love to hear from OMAAT readers as to what your favorite safety videos are. Below are my picks, in no particular order.

Air New Zealand safety videos

Any discussion about airline safety videos has to start with Air New Zealand, as the airline has put the most effort into these videos over the years. Pre-pandemic, the airline released at least one new safety video per year, and it was consistently quite a production.

My favorite Air New Zealand safety video was the one starring the late Betty White. She’s such a legend, and this video is humorous and engaging, without being annoying.

However, perhaps the most memorable and annoying Air New Zealand safety video is the one starring Richard Simmons, which is… quite something.

Meanwhile Air New Zealand’s most widely viewed safety video ever was the one that celebrated the final film in The Hobbit Trilogy. Since I never saw the movie and am not really a fan of The Hobbit, much of it was lost on me, but I know many people loved it.

Corendon safety video

Corendon Dutch Airlines recently unveiled what might just be the funniest and raunchiest safety video I’ve ever seen. So much effort went into this, and the video has such a big cast. What’s amazing about this video is that it plays on a single route, between Amsterdam and Curaçao, which the airline operates with a leased World2Fly A350. This might just be the most effort I’ve ever seen put into a niche safety video.

Virgin America safety video

Virgin America ceased operations in 2018, when the airline merged with Alaska Airlines. However, the airline was very well known for its safety video, produced by Todrick Hall. Personally I found the video to be a bit much, but it sure is memorable.

Perhaps even more memorable was the flight attendant who reportedly danced to it on just about every flight…

Starlux Airlines safety video

Starlux Airlines has a bit of a space theme, and that extends to the carrier’s safety video, which is called “StarWonderers.” It’s an outrageously cute animated video that you can’t help but watch, given the amazing attention to detail.

Turkish Airlines safety video

Several years ago, Turkish Airlines released a LEGO themed safety video, coinciding with the launch of the LEGO Movie. The attention to detail and theme of this is awesome.

Air France safety video

Air France’s safety video from a few years ago was my favorite ever produced by the carrier. There are no big name actors, no animation, and no stand up comedy routine. However, it’s just very fun to watch, with upbeat music, and some great choreography.

British Airways safety video

Along with the Virgin America safety video, this is probably the most controversial video I’m putting on this list, since people either love or hate it. A few years back, British Airways created a safety video in collaboration with Comic Relief. In this video, some popular celebrities are seen “auditioning” for a role in the safety video, and the whole thing is hilarious.

It seems that most people who saw this for the first time loved it, while others were less enthusiastic.

Singapore Airlines safety video

Singapore Airlines is possibly the most consistent airline in the world when it comes to its marketing and branding. The airline exudes elegance and tranquility in every element of its operation, and the safety video is no exception. The safety video showcases Singapore as a destination, as well as the kind of service you can expect onboard.

Bottom line

Airlines put varying amounts of effort into their safety videos. Some airlines just stick to the basics, while others turn it into a theatrical production. For the airlines that put effort into the videos, some go for humor, some go for production value, some focus on highlighting their homes, and some do a little bit of everything.

What’s your favorite and/or most memorable airline safety video?

Conversations (11)
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  1. ConcordeBoy Diamond

    I personally don't understand how anyone could make it through more than a minute of that Corendon video, it's beyond annoying.

    The Hobbit one was great though!

    Surprised "Deltalina" didn't make the list.

  2. Mike Guest

    Must say that while my relationship with Qantas is currently at real crisis point (as is Qantas's relationship with most Australians) - their 100 anniversary video, still showing on flights, is absolutely sensational

  3. Thorvaldsen Guest

    No Hawaiian Airlines?? Their videos are fun and give a great overview of the islands’ unique geography. Plus Henry Kapono singing home in the islands on Kaneohe sandbar is classic.

  4. GBOAC Diamond

    Fortunately you included the Virgin America safety video by Todrick Hall -- an extremely entertaining video and the only one I could stand to watch over and over again.

  5. Greg Guest

    Sichuan Airlines has the cutest safety video featuring panda bears and hilarity ensues when they forget to put on their seat belts. Definitely my favorite!

  6. Jill Guest

    ELAL Safety Video with Magician/Mentalist Lior Suchard is an all time favourite. Can't beleive you skipped that one out

  7. Jay Deshpande Guest

    British Airways older safety video with the female voice from the 1990s/2000s was loads better than the current versions. Although I was initially intrigued by the addition of British celebrities, the video became more of a drag with time.

  8. Miguel Guest

    Air Canada recently produced a video that showcases Canada's geography and culture, visiting all 10 provinces + 3 territories in under 6 minutes. Air France also recently did something similar; that's already been linked here.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_7HwX-C6ws

    While not as famous, Air NZ also did a video to pair with their "nothing to hide" ad campaign, where the on-camera crew wore nothing but body paint.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-Mq9HAE62Y

  9. martin Guest

    You forgot Aerolineas Argentinas safety video made by the football world champions (Messi, Scaloni, etc). What a pitty. Regards

  10. DC Guy Guest

    How could you not mention Delta’s safety video featuring “Deltalina”? Wagging that finger about no smoking was a classic.

  11. TravelinWilly Diamond

    I like this Air France one, maybe I've just seen it too many times...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhA0aL105Nw&ab_channel=AirFrance

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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DC Guy Guest

How could you not mention Delta’s safety video featuring “Deltalina”? Wagging that finger about no smoking was a classic.

2
TravelinWilly Diamond

I like this Air France one, maybe I've just seen it too many times... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhA0aL105Nw&ab_channel=AirFrance

1
ConcordeBoy Diamond

I personally don't understand how anyone could make it through more than a minute of that Corendon video, it's beyond annoying. The Hobbit one was great though! Surprised "Deltalina" didn't make the list.

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