April 23, 2026, 10:19 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Have you ever flown long-haul? If you weren’t in first or business class, the flight probably wasn’t very comfortable. After sitting for so long, you feel stiff and inflexible. Some airlines have come up with a solution–and it seems to be catching on.
Social media is currently flooded with videos from airplanes. They appear to have been taken shortly before or after landing. But instead of clapping passengers or the typical annoyance of people jumping up despite the seatbelt sign, the passengers remain seated, raising their arms in the air. What’s behind this? Something we should all definitely take note of!
Stretching Together
The videos show passengers stretching and reaching after a long flight. They are guided by a video playing on the screens, collectively raising their arms or turning to the side.
What might sound unusual to Europeans is quite common on Asian airlines after long flights. Often, a video is played for everyone to join in. Flight attendants sometimes guide passengers or are encouraged in the video to participate.
Western airlines also have such videos. However, they are usually more of an option for passengers and found in the entertainment program. The exercises are recommended as health tips rather than a collective event at the end of the flight.
Not a New Concept
Videos like these are not new on airplanes. More than ten years ago, Qantas was one of the first major airlines to introduce something similar. In an approximately four-minute video, passengers are shown various exercises to stretch muscle groups that can stiffen from prolonged sitting.
And Qantas is once again leading the way in terms of onboard well-being and health. Starting next year, the Australian airline will introduce so-called “Wellbeing Zones.” What exactly this entails is explained in this article.
Why are videos of this suddenly appearing on Instagram and other platforms? Likely because all passengers are participating and stretching together on the plane. This catches the attention of those who have never experienced it before–and surely inspires imitators.