Qantas cracks down on filming and taking photos on planes

Qantas has cracked the whip and made a huge change to the way passengers film and take snaps on planes.

Qantas has cracked the whip and tightened its rules around filming on flights.

Passengers are now forbidden to take photos or footage without permission as part of a new move to protect the privacy of staff and passengers.

If, for example, a heated exchange erupts between two passengers, those on-board can’t take pictures or footage, unless those captured in the footage, including staff, have consented.

The same goes for influencers filming content for their platforms. If it involves the faces of other passengers or staff, it can’t be used, unless permission has been granted from those in the footage.

The new clause was added on November 8 to section 12 of its Conditions of Carriage — regarding ‘Conduct During Flight’.

Qantas cracks down on filming and taking photos on planes. NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“To maximise Passenger comfort, safety and security, you must comply with the following requirements, and all other reasonable directions of any crew member on your flight with us, when on board,” section 12.1 states.

It lists 15 specific types of directions that passengers must obey, from not smoking to wearing a seatbelt and remaining seated during turbulence and as of last month, to “seek consent before filming or photographing Qantas Group staff, contractors or other customers”.

The other two new rules passengers must follow, include to “comply with any reasonable directions issued by the crew” and to “use electronic devices (excluding hearing aids and heart pacemakers) when and as directed and in the case of any failure to comply with the direction we may retain the device”.

You can’t take photos or film others including staff on board a Qantas plane, unless you have consent from those who feature in it.

A Qantas spokesperson told news.com.au they’re aware lots of customers want to film and photograph their journey “and our policy is designed to make sure they can do that safely and respectfully”.

Selfies and filming or taking snaps of the view are still allowed, but if a fellow passenger or cabin crew member is in it, again, the person taking the footage will need to ask for their permission.

“It doesn’t prevent customers from taking photos or videos of themselves, their family and friends or out of the window,” the spokesperson added.

Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia federal secretary Teri O’Toole told The Weekend Australian cabin crew have been subjected to horrible behaviour from people filming, adding that the move is “about time”.

Passengers can still take selfies and film outside the window, so long as it doesn’t include other passengers or staff – unless they have given you their permission.

“[We] welcome the fact that if you want to film out the window, that’s great, but just don’t film the crew themselves without their permission,” she said.

“We have some crew that are up skirted, there’s some horrible things that happen on an aircraft now and they need protection, it’s a workplace and they shouldn’t go to work concerned about someone, taking photos and making fun of them.

“I get that some people want to blog, and you can do all of that without photographing the crew.”

The clause also ensures Qantas staff and other passengers have privacy when flying and allows them to not be unwanted social media stars.

It comes as the national carrier has updated its conditions to require passengers to now ‘seek consent before filming or photographing Qantas Group staff, contractors or other customers’.

Travellers have taken online to weigh in on the move, with many in favour of the new rule.

“It really bugs me how many people film everything lately. Especially other peoples misfortune. Just so they can be first to post it on their preferred social media platform,” one person wrote on the Australian Frequent Flyer site.

“There seems to be an increasingly large demographic that are interested only in filming and posting rather than helping the person having a bad day,” they continued.

“Or filming the drama unfolding next to them instead of intervening.”

Another person wrote: “Finally what a great move!”

The moved is designed to reduce disturbance and to ensure privacy to cabin crew and other passengers, the airline said. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

One traveller recalled: “I remember taking a photo of a crew member once doing a safety check for some competition or other. It didn’t include their face. But I was questioned by the flight manager and showed the photo which was OK by them.”

Previously, it was at the discretion of Qantas staff if filming was allowed on board the flight, but now it has been further tightened to require the consent of other passengers.

Rival airline Virgin Australia also has strict rules surrounding photos and filming with its condition stating the use of cameras or photographic devices (including mobile phones) is for personal use only.

“You must comply with the directions of flight crew when using cameras or photographic devices while on board.”

Rex and Qantas’ budget carrier Jetstar currently don’t have a requirement stated in either condition of carriage

Qantas’ move comes as the major airline pushes to improve the on-board experience for customers. It now offers baggage tracking in its app for passengers flying between 10 Australian cities and for the first time in its history, it has shifted the start time of its domestic economy bar service forward from 4pm to noon.

From this month, domestic customers travelling in Economy will be offered a choice of complimentary premium Australian wine or beer from midday, to enjoy with their lunch or afternoon snacks.