As the Australian government has reported a significant drop in cancer screening rates, particularly for breast, bowel and cervical cancer, since the Coronavirus pandemic has taken hold, we may all need a bit of a reminder to keep up those very important appointments.
Qatar Airways chose to honour Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a very unique way: the UAE airline, which is based in Doha, had an all-female crew operate a special 'Think Pink' flight over Qatar yesterday.
With female pilots, crew, engineers, dispatchers, ATC controllers and even passengers, flight QR9901 flew in the shape of a ribbon (a traditional symbol of cancer awareness, with pink being used for breast cancer),which took just over an hour.
The flight is part of a month-long campaign designed to raise awareness of breast cancer across the globe. Earlier in the month, Qatar introduced 'Think Pink' experiences in lounges as well as in the sky, complete with custom-designed amenity kits and pink-themed special menus.
Some 'Think Pink' flight items, and the 'ribbon' flight path on the seatback monitor.
Although there are often complaints about these ‘drawings’ being a misuse of fuel and an unnecessary contributor to fossil fuels, Qatar certainly aren’t the first airline to get creative in the sky.
Most recently, Qantas drew a giant Kangaroo on it’s last ‘Boeing747’ flight before the aircraft was retired.
Previously we have also seen Virgin Atlantic draw a heart in the sky for Valentines Day, and Boeing drew a ‘self portrait’ of it's aircraft on a mandated test flight in 2017.
Even though it may not be the most environmentally friendly, it’s a great message and a good way to boost morale during the current climate.
Girl power!