BA unveils new safety video starring Emma Raducanu, Robert Peston, Ncuti Gatwa and Kaya Scodelario

British Airways has premiered a new onboard safety video starring an eclectic mix of ‘familiar faces’, the airline’s colleagues and ‘Britons going about their daily activities’ that showcases ‘everything that makes Britain unique and truly original’.

Passengers will see Rwandan-Scottish actor and Barbie the movie star Ncuti Gatwa stressing the importance of buckling up, presenter Robert Peston and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett highlighting the importance of turning off and stowing devices during take-off and landing, and tennis ace Emma Raducanu reminding passengers that if not under the seat, bags should be placed in overhead lockers. She also underscores that window blinds should be up for take-off.

British rapper Little Simz has a cameo, too, along with actress Kaya Scodelario, British Airways’ new uniform designer Ozwald Boateng, and double-Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, who creates BA’s in-flight economy ‘Speedbird Cafe’ meals.

Meanwhile, when cabin crew member Emily Mae Jackson reminds customers that life jackets should not be inflated inside the aircraft, viewers see the instruction playfully taken out of situ with a real-life farmer near Dover and two fishermen on Deal beach in Kent all inflating their life jackets.

Another star is British Airways engineer Carl Carpenter, who drives across an engineering hangar while asking customers to unplug their devices, before his own vehicle comes to an abrupt stop.

Ncuti Gatwa stresses the importance of buckling up in the video

The five-minute film will be shown on the airline’s long-haul aircraft from 1 May, 2023

Other safety instructions are issued from Brits sitting in deckchairs and men in a typical breakfast café.

The safety video, says British Airways, ‘plays on things synonymous with the UK… it celebrates the timeless quirks and its unique people that put the nation on the map’.

The five-minute film will be shown on the airline’s long-haul aircraft from 1 May, 2023.

Tennis player Emma Raducanu said: ‘As a British Airways Brand Ambassador, it was a privilege to be a part of the new safety video and film alongside so many British Airways colleagues and household names from across the country. It’s fresh, engaging and I know customers will be in for a treat when the video is rolled out for the first time onboard.’

British Airways engineer Carl Carpenter said: ‘My day-to-day role involves making sure our aircraft are safe for our customers, so to feature in the safety video itself is quite surreal. We had so much fun filming the video and I can’t wait to finally see it on board when I next go on holiday.’

Presenter Robert Peston and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett highlight the importance of turning off and stowing devices during take-off and landing

British rapper Little Simz has a cameo in the video, which showcases ‘everything that makes Britain unique and truly original’

Food for thought: Chef Tom Kerridge, who creates BA’s in-flight economy ‘Speedbird Cafe’ meals, pops up in the clip

When cabin crew member Emily Mae Jackson reminds customers that life jackets should not be inflated inside the aircraft, viewers see the instruction playfully taken out of situ with a real-life farmer near Dover and two fishermen on Deal beach in Kent all inflating their life jackets

Calum Laming, British Airways Chief Customer Officer, said: ‘We have all sat through safety demonstrations before, so we knew we needed to create something different that would capture attention. We wanted this to be a real celebration of originality and for us, it is our people who – together with where we’re from – make us unique.

‘That’s why it was important for us to hero so many of our amazing colleagues doing what they do each and every day for our customers and for each other. 

‘We also wanted to inject some wit and showcase Britishness, and all the quirks that put us on the map by shining a light on real-life people – from fishermen and chip shop workers to friends hanging out, as well as some well-known faces who help put Britain on a stage. So, seats in the take-off position and we hope you really enjoy our new safety video.’