When Wellbeing Design Takes Flight
We have all been there — waiting in long security lines, run-walking to the gate to make it on time, worrying about whether a delayed flight will prevent us from making a connection.
“Traveling through airports can be one of the most stressful, anxiety-provoking experiences.
But, what if design could change that?”
During a recent trip with Delta Air Lines (that involved multiple delays, multiple aircrafts, and multiple gate changes), I noticed something different about the in-flight safety video. It was filmed on an eco-friendly resort in Costa Rica instead of an airplane. While this may seem odd to some, as a human-centered designer focused on experiences that promote health and wellbeing, I was immediately captivated by it.
As I watched the video, I felt a shift in my emotional energy and experienced the power that wellbeing design can have on passengers during travel. Here are some key features of the video that piqued my interest:
1 / Views of Nature
From flourishing tree-tops blowing gently in the breeze to nature trails to mesmerizing views of the lush landscape, passengers are immediately immersed in views of nature from the beginning of the film. Research has demonstrated that views of nature can reduce blood pressure, reduce cortisol levels, and boost mood. Since that’s true, shouldn’t we be using nature more in other settings that tend to induce stress like clinical spaces and office buildings?
2 / Calming Soundscapes
Throughout the video, soothing music plays in the background while two flight attendants provide safety instructions. A 2021 study demonstrated that natural sounds can improve health through “decreased pain, lower stress, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive performance.” Listening to the soundscapes that mimicked nature transformed the flight experience, making me feel like I was actually sitting in nature.
3 / Relatable Moments
The video incorporates many relatable moments—yoga class, hiking on a trail, relaxing in a lounge chair at a resort—that create a relaxing experience for passengers. Delta Air Lines leverages familiarity to enhance viewer engagement.
4 / Biophilic Materials
The resort highlights sustainability and eco-friendliness through its use of natural materials, biomimetic textures, and nature-inspired patterns which have been shown to promote health and wellbeing. We have known about the benefits of designing with biophilia for years. According to a 2013 study, humans prefer curved architectural contours over straight lines and are even more likely to consider curved buildings more beautiful because of their influence on the the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), an area of the brain that plays a significant role in emotional regulation.
5 / Elements of Surprise
The boarding process can become too routine, defeating the purpose of passengers pay attention to important safety cues and information prior to takeoff. Because the video has an unexpected setting and other elements of surprise, people are more likely to watch it in its entirety.
“When it comes to wellbeing design and a human-centered travel experience, Delta Air Lines gets it.”
Shoutout to the Branding and Marketing Teams at Delta Air Lines for turning a normally stressful experience into a pleasant, relaxing one with the use of intentional design that centers people and their emotional wellbeing.