It’s possibly the most entertaining in-flight safety video ever produced. Virgin America‘s video was released on YouTube just a couple of days ago but already is heading towards 2m views. And when you watch it, you can understand why. Perhaps it has something to do with Sir Richard Branson’s roots – but there’s no doubt that Virgin America goes way over the top to catch your attention with this song-and-dance number about the merits of life jackets, oxygen masks and powering off electronic devices. There’s a “robot rap,” a gyrating nun and countless back-breaking dance moves, all filmed by Step Up 2: The Streets director Jon M. Chu (who also did the recent Microsoft Surface ad) and choreographed by frequent Chu collaborators Jamal Sims and Christopher Scott. Here’s what it looks like:
Meanwhile, back in European airspace, there’s news from three airports. The Spanish carrier Vueling has stepped in to save Scots passengers’ Christmas holiday plans after it announced it will operate flights between Edinburgh and Barcelona over the festive season. The airline will offer five flights from Edinburgh Airport on 21, 28, 30 December and 02 and 05 January. The decision comes after Ryanair axed flights to the Spanish city this winter. The Vueling services will allow planned holidays to go ahead but also provide an important Christmas lifeline link for those trying to get home to see family.
Staying with Ryanair, it’s just confirmed that it will start a brand-new service from the troubled Prestwick Airport starting next summer – to Knock in Ireland’s County Mayo. There will be three flights per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
And finally, easyJet has announced two new routes from Glasgow Airport for 2014. The airline will serve the Croatian city of Split and the Greek island of Kos next summer. The Kos service will start on the 5th of April and operate twice a week on a Tuesday and Saturday. The inaugural flight to Split will take off on the 22nd of June, also operating twice weekly on a Wednesday and Sunday. It is the first time Split has been served from Glasgow Airport and flight times make it great for a weeks holiday or a short city break.