Emirates Ad Of A ‘Flight Attendant’ Standing On Top Of Burj Khalifa Is As Real As It Could Get As Airline Reveals How It Was Shot
Interview
Just a few days ago, a new UAE Emirates Airlines ad has taken social media by storm. The advertisement celebrates the fact that the UK government was moving the UAE onto its “amber” list for travel. However, the said ad is special not only because of that, as the main thing that made it viral was the fact that it was filmed at the very top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
At a height of 828 meters above the ground, the ad zooms in on Nicole Smith-Ludvik dressed as a cabin staff member in the iconic red Emirates hat and uniform, standing atop the tallest point of the building. It was mentioned that it took over an hour to reach the very top of the building by climbing from level 160. UAE’s Emirates Airlines ad was marked as one of the “highest ads ever filmed.”
However, just like everything else, the said ad was met by criticism as some people assumed the company used a green screen, and that the video was fake. To clear up any confusion, Emirates has released behind-the-scenes footage showing how this seemingly insane feat was made possible using only a single drone.
So, Pandas, what do you think of this? Would you be brave enough to climb to the very top of the Burj Khalifa yourselves?
More info: Instagram | youtube.com | Nicole Smith-Ludvik’s Instagram
Just a few days ago, a new UAE Emirates Airlines ad has taken social media by storm
Image credits: emirates
Bored Panda reached out to Nicole Smith-Ludvik, the person who stood at the top of the Burj Khalifa. First, we asked Nicole to tell us a little bit more about herself.
“My name is Nicole Smith-Ludvik. I am from a small mountain town in Georgia in the US. I am an avid hiker, scuba diver, skydiving instructor, professional demonstration jumper, and yoga instructor. I am married to my wonderful husband, David ‘Junior’ Ludvik—a multi-world record holder and world champion skydiver. We met on August 14, 2007, when he took me for my first tandem skydive. I moved to Dubai 5 years ago to be with him and to work as a full-time skydive instructor for Skydive Dubai.”
The advertisement celebrates the fact that the UK government was moving the UAE onto its “amber” list for travel
Image credits: emirates
Filming for such an incredible ad must’ve left Nicole feeling something, so we wanted to know her feelings on this.
“The Emirates ad is the most spectacular project I have ever done. I literally felt like I was on top of the world.”
We also wanted to know how and why Smith-Ludvik was chosen for this particular job.
“Emirates put a casting call out for a stuntwoman who fits the cabin crew profile to feature in their new TVC. My name was put forward by the production team who was appointed by them to plan and shoot this incredible stunt. With our experience as skydiving instructors and interest in extreme sports, both my husband and I have worked with Prime Productions AMG on similar projects over the years. I am comfortable with heights, work well under pressure and in high-stress situations so this exciting opportunity was a good fit and I signed up without any hesitation.”
The main thing that made the ad viral was the fact that it was filmed at the very top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa
Image credits: emirates
Nicole already told us a little bit about herself, but we were also curious about her day-to-day jobs as she is quite an active person.
“I came face to face with my mortality some years ago and it made me reevaluate everything I thought was important in my life. I realized that we’re not guaranteed a moment on this planet and that realization made me appreciate life in a profound way. I seek out things that bring me joy and bring fulfillment.
As a skydiving instructor, I help people overcome their fears and help them check off things from their ‘bucket list.’ I believe if you have the courage to jump out of an airplane, you have the courage to do anything.
Teaching yoga brings me so happiness—the more I teach it, the more I learn about myself and my connection to my mind, body, and spirit. The more I connect with myself, the more I am able to connect with others.”
At a height of 828 meters above the ground, the ad zooms in on Nicole Smith-Ludvik standing atop the tallest point of the building
Image credits: emirates
We have noticed that a lot of people assumed Smith-Ludvik was actually part of the cabin crew for Emirates; however, that isn’t exactly the case. Here’s how Nicole felt about this.
“It was so much fun wearing the Emirates uniform for the day. It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?! The hat and scarf were my favorite thing to wear. However, I am not an Emirates flight attendant. I am a professional skydiver!”
Being part of such an experience is a lot to take in, but we wanted Nicole to tell us which part of the whole thing was her personal favorite!
“This is a really tough question to answer because the entire experience was my favorite! From having my hair and makeup done, the achievement of climbing 200 meters up a ladder to get to the top, the initial view, climbing up the platform, watching the sunrise over the desert, watching the city wake up, jamming out to Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Nirvana with the rigging team at the top with me, the successful shoot.”
UAE’s Emirates Airlines ad was marked as one of the “highest ads ever filmed”
Image credits: emirates
Lastly, of course, we just had to ask the most important question. How did it feel being practically on top of the world?
“Surreal. At that moment in time, I was standing at the highest point on the tallest structure man has ever made. It was an exciting and humbling experience.”
Filming at the pinnacle took rigorous planning
Image credits: emirates
Image credits: emirates
And a strict safety protocol
Image credits: emirates
Image credits: emirates
“We always look to challenge the norm and push boundaries at Emirates” Sir Tim Clark, the president of Emirates Airline said
Image credits: emirates
Image credits: emirates
It was also mentioned that it took over an hour to reach the very top of the building by climbing from level 160
Image credits: emirates
And the whole ad was filmed using only a single drone!
Image credits: emirates
The full commercial that was posted all over social media
Image credits: emirates
The complete behind the scenes footage by Emirates
Image credits: emirates
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Somehow, to see an airline representing one of the worst human rights abusing nations on the planet (especially toward women) placing a woman on top of the world's most pointless and wasteful building ever constructed, doesn't really inspire me to ever use their service.
I don't even think I could make the climb....wow. Kudos to her for being a total bada**.
She has a massive pair made of titanium? Diamond?
Load More Replies...
God, I feel my calves contract just looking at that. I'm not a coward, not afraid of heights but this makes me feel woozy.
I am a coward, afraid of heights and this makes ME feel woozy.
Load More Replies...
She sure has GUTS. No amount of money would make me do this. Not even for a couple of seconds. Heights terrify me, and I am surprised she does not look even a little bit scared. She only has the area where she is standing for foot space which is what scares me.
Lots of guts so i admire her. but what a waste of resources from emirates
We're talking about a luxury commercial airline. This is the pocket lint of their wasted resources budget.
Load More Replies...
Finally someone other than Tom cruise can say they have been to the top of that building
They may regret this amazing act. Now everybody is going to want to do it.
Load More Replies...
I have never EVER been Jealous of someone more than this woman! what a wonderful experience! what an amazing sight! GREAT JOB!!!
It is an extremely hot and dusty place ! Flown in at 5 am in a dust storm at it was 40degrees Celsius !!! Already
More information, please, about how she was anchored, etc. Did she have to train to even climb the stairs? Nice ad.
As someone who looks for a parachute if I'm on a tall barstool I'm beyond impressed. Don't forget though, somebody had to build it.
I hope she was paid good, she has more guts than me. I get dizzy just standing on my kitchen counter
They tried that. They couldn’t get the sock to switch signs.
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OMG, it makes me sick to my stomach just looking at that. I absolutely hate heights. Even 10 stories freaks me out. I never used to be this way. I used to work in NYC and had worked in offices that were 40 - 50 stories high, but at some point in recent years since i moved to Boston, I have gotten vertigo and luckily have not lived or worked anywhere higher than the 7th floor. And I never will. I just can't tolerate it anymore.
Scott Baysinger, if she's wife material, make sure you don't disappoint her with your Burj Al Khalifa.
Hope she's enjoying the view of the mile-long queue of poop trucks heading to the Burj Khalifa, the stagnant water between the fronds of the palm islands, and the slave labour tenements on the city limits. All the beautiful sights of Dubai.
I think this kind of advertising is among the most financially efficient. They could choose to never show it commercially and just take the revenue from youtube. We are talking about Emirates.
Nope, nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope NOPE!!!!!!!!
She is not a cabin crew, she is a skydiver. And No, The UAE is not a bad country. I live there now for 6years as a woman and people treat me with kindness and respect.
As much of an achievement that might be - espeicially for the actress terrified of dropping a sign - it is a really boring ad.
Wow! Bravo! I could never do that even if I was someone filming something like that!
It makes me wonder : is Emirates so desperate for publicity to put her in danger...??
Um, I thnk I'd actually prefer that they DID use a greenscreen for this. Why risk someone's life for an ad??? also, how the heck did she get to the top part - is there a ladder on the other side? In any case, it's a big NOPE from me...
Somehow, to see an airline representing one of the worst human rights abusing nations on the planet (especially toward women) placing a woman on top of the world's most pointless and wasteful building ever constructed, doesn't really inspire me to ever use their service.
I don't even think I could make the climb....wow. Kudos to her for being a total bada**.
She has a massive pair made of titanium? Diamond?
Load More Replies... God, I feel my calves contract just looking at that. I'm not a coward, not afraid of heights but this makes me feel woozy.
I am a coward, afraid of heights and this makes ME feel woozy.
Load More Replies... She sure has GUTS. No amount of money would make me do this. Not even for a couple of seconds. Heights terrify me, and I am surprised she does not look even a little bit scared. She only has the area where she is standing for foot space which is what scares me.
Lots of guts so i admire her. but what a waste of resources from emirates
We're talking about a luxury commercial airline. This is the pocket lint of their wasted resources budget.
Load More Replies... Finally someone other than Tom cruise can say they have been to the top of that building
They may regret this amazing act. Now everybody is going to want to do it.
Load More Replies... I have never EVER been Jealous of someone more than this woman! what a wonderful experience! what an amazing sight! GREAT JOB!!!
It is an extremely hot and dusty place ! Flown in at 5 am in a dust storm at it was 40degrees Celsius !!! Already
More information, please, about how she was anchored, etc. Did she have to train to even climb the stairs? Nice ad.
As someone who looks for a parachute if I'm on a tall barstool I'm beyond impressed. Don't forget though, somebody had to build it.
I hope she was paid good, she has more guts than me. I get dizzy just standing on my kitchen counter
They tried that. They couldn’t get the sock to switch signs.
Load More Replies... OMG, it makes me sick to my stomach just looking at that. I absolutely hate heights. Even 10 stories freaks me out. I never used to be this way. I used to work in NYC and had worked in offices that were 40 - 50 stories high, but at some point in recent years since i moved to Boston, I have gotten vertigo and luckily have not lived or worked anywhere higher than the 7th floor. And I never will. I just can't tolerate it anymore.
Scott Baysinger, if she's wife material, make sure you don't disappoint her with your Burj Al Khalifa.
Hope she's enjoying the view of the mile-long queue of poop trucks heading to the Burj Khalifa, the stagnant water between the fronds of the palm islands, and the slave labour tenements on the city limits. All the beautiful sights of Dubai.
I think this kind of advertising is among the most financially efficient. They could choose to never show it commercially and just take the revenue from youtube. We are talking about Emirates.
Nope, nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope NOPE!!!!!!!!
She is not a cabin crew, she is a skydiver. And No, The UAE is not a bad country. I live there now for 6years as a woman and people treat me with kindness and respect.
As much of an achievement that might be - espeicially for the actress terrified of dropping a sign - it is a really boring ad.
Wow! Bravo! I could never do that even if I was someone filming something like that!
It makes me wonder : is Emirates so desperate for publicity to put her in danger...??
Um, I thnk I'd actually prefer that they DID use a greenscreen for this. Why risk someone's life for an ad??? also, how the heck did she get to the top part - is there a ladder on the other side? In any case, it's a big NOPE from me...
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