British Airways has today released a new British period drama-themed onboard safety video, which stars over 40 of the airline’s colleagues. The five-minute video was filmed in grand country houses across the UK.
On Tuesday (July 23, 2024), British Airways unveiled a new onboard safety video titled ‘a British Original Period Drama.’ The video features over 40 BA colleagues and is inspired by some of Britain’s most famous period literature, TV and film. Depicting ladies and lords of the manor, along with housekeepers and butlers going about their everyday lives in period Britain, the scene is interrupted by current British Airways team members demonstrating the safety briefing. At one point, a 19th century socialite marvels at the magic of a motion picture shown on a laptop, before being reminded to store personal electronic devices before departure.
In Tuesday’s announcement, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said,
“We know that these videos deliver vital safety information, and it is so important that we do everything we can to keep our customers engaged throughout. When it came to selecting a genre, we wanted something that would enable us to do this, while resonating with global audiences, so a period drama with a little bit of humour seemed like the perfect fit.
“We have created something truly original and entertaining that celebrates what makes Britain – and British Airways – unique while communicating the importance of safety on board. I am also incredibly proud that more than 40 colleagues star in the film as we have always said it is our people who make us who we are.”
Also commenting on the new safety video, the renowned British Director, Sharon McGuire, said,
“We put together a dream team of industry legends, from Jenny Beavan to Kave Quinn and Erik Wilson to Jack Ravenscroft. We definitely wouldn’t have pulled it off without them. They just loved the idea created by the talented and lovely creative teams at Uncommon and British Airways.”
Helen Lau, a British Airways First Officer who plays herself, added,
“As a First Officer, my job means I am in the flight deck during the safety briefing, so to know that I will be appearing on the video in the cabins feels very surreal. I love the closing line which says stay safe, look after one another and never change, which featured in the previous video, and I hope is carried onto the next. It's such a touching and uniting phrase.”
Presenting British Airways' New Period-Themed Onboard Safety Video - Courtesy British Airways
For the video’s location, grand British country estates were selected, including Hatfield House in Hertfordshire and Englefield House Estate in Berkshire. Director Sharon Maguire, known for her work on Bridget Jones’ Diary and Bridget Jones’ Baby was chosen to direct the five-minute video, thanks to her ability to demonstrate British comedy in a way that would entertain and engage the carrier’s global customers. The costumes worn by colleagues and actors across the video were designed by three-time Oscar® winning British costume designer Jenny Beavan. British Airways’ new safety video will be available on long-haul aircraft equipped with seatback IFE screens from August 1st, 2024.
Source: British Airways
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