Malaysia Airlines Safety Video

From SimpliFlying CEO Shashank Nigam

Malaysia Airlines has come up with a catchy new safety video. It’s refreshingly local, upbeat and a riot of colours - like Malaysia itself. Though, is the national airline trying too hard?

Imagine if Virgin America was “Virgin Malaysia” - this is the safety video it would have come up with. Of course, it’s the national carrier of Malaysia that’s singing a different tune this time. Tunes, rather.

The safety video features lyrics in Malay and English. A number of local Malaysian celebrities make cameos. There’s rap. There’s traditional Kampung music. There’s a soccer sequence. There are even school kids in uniforms! A ton of effort has been put into the video. Though, at times, it feels like a mashup of multiple videos. But then, Malaysia is a mashup of multiple cultures - truly Asia indeed :)

As I wrote back in 2013:

“Airline safety videos have proved to be far more effective at engaging the connected travellers online, as well as in-flight, than traditional glossy advertisements often uploaded on the internet, which only showcase the flight attendants and cabins most people can’t differentiate between airlines.

“There are opportunities abound in this field and you’ll only figure out your way once you get started.”