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History and safety combine in epic new Qantas safety video

Nicky Kelvin
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Nicky Kelvin is the director of content and face of TPG UK, and is also an award-winning photographer. Before joining TPG UK, he was a record label lawyer and avid traveler sharing points wisdom as the "Miles Mogul."
Feb. 26, 2020
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3 min read
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History and safety combine in epic new Qantas safety video
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I am a huge fan of airline safety videos, and truth be told, this one got me right in the feels. I even shed a tear as it reached its crescendo.

In celebration of its centenary year, Qantas has revealed a new inflight safety video, taking us through the years with painstaking attention to detail in recreating the aircraft, airports and uniforms of eras gone by since the 1920s. So although all the traditional elements of a safety video are there, it also serves as a beautifully produced history of the airline.

https://youtu.be/rLq8if1nkTM

The video was 12 months in the making, and for the die-hard AvGeeks, there are some real treats in there, including:

  • Wall panels from the 1970s taken from the upper deck of a retired 747-200 in the Mojave Desert;
  • An original tea set from the 1940s;
  • An original life jacket in the Rose Bay 1930s scene, one of only two remaining from this era;
  • Original artwork and drawings from Indigenous design studio Balarinji, the 747 with the Wunala Dreaming livery was recreated using computer-generated imagery technology; and
  • Authentic original uniforms, but watch out for the hair! More than 50 wigs and 30 moustaches were used to capture each era.
(Photo courtesy of Qantas)

The music is particularly beautiful. James Morrison plays the saxophone, trumpet and trombone to instrumental versions of "I Still Call Australia Home," the iconic Australian anthem used in Qantas adverts, tailored to the musical style of each era shown in the video.

You won't have long to wait to watch the video on board. It will be loaded on international and domestic Qantas flights from March 1, 2020.

(Photo courtesy of Qantas)

Perhaps use this as a prompt to jump on board the nonstop Qantas flight from London to Perth, which is bookable for 50,000 Avios in economy or 150,000 Avios in business class one-way plus taxes, subject to availability. Alternatively, throw a few more Avios at the problem and book yourself a number of Qantas flights along with with other Oneworld airline flights as part of an Avios multi-carrier award and maximise your flying distance — and your chances to watch this gorgeous video.