The 5 Best Airline Safety Videos of All Time

Airline safety demonstrations aren’t the most exciting thing in the world. Or on a plane. Most people ignore them, which is probably why so many people freak out and grab their bags during emergency landings. Luckily, some airlines have tried to make the safety videos both visually appealing and entertaining in hopes of holding passengers’ attention. There are some real gems out there. Below is my round-up of the 5 best airline safety videos of all time:

 

5: Delta – Deltalina

The first time I watched the Deltalina safety video on a Delta flight, there was a lot of giggling and laughter at the words, “smoking is not allowed” by the men in the cabin. A striking flight attendant resembling Angelina Jolie gave the instructions with the camera a little too close to her face. But it worked – it got people’s attention.

 

4: Air New Zealand – Safety in Hollywood

That title sounds pretty loaded in the post-Harvey Weinstein era, but the video is cute! It stars Rhys Darby (I know, “Why?”) and Anna Faris in various cliche movie scenes while Air New Zealand crew gives the safety demonstration. It’s partly cheesy, partly endearing.

 

3: United – Safety is Global

United’s Safety is Global video opens to a scene at Rio Carnival. While the crew’s instructions are delivered in a monotone voice, the video’s visuals really stand out. Whether it’s the incredible scenery of the Holy festival or aurora borealis, the video displays lots of interesting scenes that make a boring safety demonstration more palatable.

 

 

2: Air New Zealand – The Most Epic Safety Video Ever Made

Air New Zealand has lots of unconventional safety videos. There’s the stunning eco-friendly version featuring Adrienne Grenier, the musical Men In Black number, and this weird one with Katie Holmes and Cuba Gooding Jr. But the most impressive is this Lord of the Rings safety video, complete with amazing special effects worthy of the Peter Jackson flick.

 

 

1: Virgin America – VX Safety Dance

There are actual music videos out there that don’t have as many Youtube views as the Virgin America safety video. It’s fun and catchy as hell. More importantly, it makes people pay attention to the safety demonstration. At the very least, if there’s ever an emergency, you can replay the lyrics in your head to figure out what to do next. Try doing that when the safety video voice-over sounds like Ben Stein.

 

 

The Virgin America safety video is so popular, a version has been posted by a superfan that excludes all the talking parts. And yes, I totally listen to it for fun sometimes. Now that Alaska has bought out Virgin America, I hope at the very least they’ll keep the safety video. And that other airlines follow suit with their own pop song/musical take on the safety video

 

 

Which of these airline safety videos is your favorite?

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