In pictures: Dubai artist turns Disney characters into Emirates cabin crew

The artist started the project during the pandemic to show support for those in the aviation industry

"When your button popped out in the galley and tiny crew are helping you," reads the caption accompanying this post. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

Sleeping Beauty seems to have her hands full. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

Mulan whips up a cuppa for a passenger. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

What Ariel would look like if she had to help a passenger, or a prince. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

"When cabin crew and a passenger open the lavatory door at the same time," is the caption of this post. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

A scene from 'Beauty and the Beast' is given a cabin-crew spin. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

Aladdin and Jasmine, if they worked as cabin crew. Courtesy of Mentai_crew

Over the last few years, artists have transformed Disney characters a number of ways – including seeing them living in the time of Covid-19.

But one Dubai artist has given these beloved characters a more local spin by re-imagining what they would look like as Emirates cabin crew.

From pictures of Belle pouring hand sanitiser into Beast’s hands (a quirky little reference to these times) to Mulan preparing coffee for passengers, the drawings capture what Disney characters would go through if they flew day-in, day-out, all in a quirky, relatable manner.

The artist, who like many in the art world chooses to remain anonymous, started this project at the beginning of the quarantine period in March, as she had more time on her hands. She works as cabin crew herself, and draws on real-life experiences to create the quirky artwork, she says.

“I’ve loved to draw since I was a child. I’ve also always loved Disney movies and characters, and since I work as cabin crew, I decided to combine two of my favourite things.”

The artist started the Instagram handle @mentai_crew and posts her artwork there, her aim has been to create and post one picture a day.

Some are caricatures of flight attendants and pilots, some are comic strips and, of course, some are Disney characters. She creates the artwork by drawing on an iPad Pro and edits with Ibis Paint.

She may have started the project on a whim, but was taken aback by its immense popularity. In the span of two months, the profile has racked up more than 6,000 followers.

“I’ve been getting a lot of messages and comments. I didn’t expect it at all,” she confesses. “It started out as fun, but I think I will continue with this project in the months to come.”

Her main aim though is to show a little support for others in an industry that has been hard hit by the pandemic.

“This has been a difficult time for people all over the world, especially in this industry. I wanted to do something with my time that would encourage and support them.”