Flight attendants urge Qantas to junk new ‘elitist and sexist’ safety training video showing a female pilot in a swimsuit and frequent flyers in exotic locations
A new in-flight safety video showing Qantas staff demonstrating safety drills in places like Hollywood and Paris – and a female pilot in a swimsuit – has been branded ‘elitist’ and ‘sexist’ by Australia’s flight attendants union.
The Australian Flight Attendant’s Association (FAAA) has condemned the airline over the safety video released on Wednesday, saying the clip did not contain appropriate safety instructions.
The clip – played to passengers as part of the pre-flight safety demonstration – shows cabin crew appearing at various overseas destinations instructing passengers on how to fly safely.
The video shows Qantas frequent flyer Alex and another female traveler seen on Ningaloo Reef in WA’s northwest instructing passengers on how to put on their oxygen masks during an emergency.
“If oxygen is needed, a mask drops from above, put it on quickly and tighten the strap,” says Alex.
The clip shows Alex and the female traveler swimming underwater on the reef, wearing swimsuits and a pair of snorkels.
Nestor from the airline’s Customer Service Lounge in Sydney drives through the streets of Hollywood, showing passengers how to put on their seat belts while sitting in a car overlooking the iconic tourist spot.
A new in-flight safety video released by Qantas shows staff giving safety instructions (pictured) while being filmed at various overseas destinations
In another part of the clip, Qantas frequent flyer Taylor demonstrates the proper way to remove and wear a life jacket while on a yacht in Mexico.
The clip shows Taylor standing on a picturesque beach in the coastal town of Cabo San Lucas.
The safety video also shows a frequent flyer reuniting with her family in Rome, while Laure, another frequent flyer, takes photos of ballet dancers in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
FAAA Secretary Teri O’Toole destroyed the safety video, telling Daily Mail Australia the clip missed its target and provided passengers with vital safety information.
“The safety video should highlight the necessary safety aspects that passengers need to know in the event of an emergency,” she said.
“While this video is beautiful and a great travel video, it is not a safety video.”
She questioned why a female pilot appears in a swimsuit during the video and told News Limited such images brought women into the workplace ‘back 20 years’.
She said the frequent flyers in the video made the airline look “elitist” and that the national carrier failed to show cabin crew in uniform
“The cabin crew are the first responders and it is disappointing to see a safety video in this video with no uniformed crew and, in fact, no Qantas international Australian cabin crew.”
Part of the clip shows Qantas frequent flyer Taylor (pictured) demonstrating the correct way to remove and wear a life jacket while on a beach in Mexico
Qantas Chief Customer Officer Catriona Larritt said “safety is the top priority” and said the video was designed to convey safety information while “capturing travellers’ attention”.
“First and foremost, the video is about familiarizing our customers with safety procedures and we try to make it as engaging as possible,” she said.
“We are proud to highlight our own well-traveled team members and customers to not only deliver the safety message, but also promote travel by inspiring people to explore destinations across Australia and beyond. ‘
The safety video will be rolled out on board Qantas flights this week, with 75 versions of the clip made available in 12 different languages.
The video was also filmed in various places in Australia, including Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia.
The new video replaces the centenary video that Qantas launched in 2020, which takes passengers through the history of the airline, founded in 1920.