Airlines used to be famous for their edited on board movies, but recently I've begun to wonder if they even bother editing anymore. Of course, editing would be easier if airlines would be a little more discriminating in their movie choices to begin with.
For example, last month Delta's eastbound movie selection was "Arthur," which was rated PG-13. It is the story of a rich, alcoholic playboy and his exploits who eventually finds love. Sounds like the perfect film to show in the middle of peak season for family travel.
The aircraft we were on featured overhead movie screens, which meant that the movie was shown to everyone and could not be turned off. Now, I am not sure if the movie was edited for language, because I didn't actually listen to the movie. But, I can tell you that I, and all the children on the plane, definitely got an eyeful. There were too many bras in this film to count, scenes of half naked adults in bed, a scene with a woman straddling a man in bed, lots of alcoholic party scenes, and numerous references to body parts. I didn't realize I should have brought blindfolds for my children, but luckily they kept their noses in their books. My sister had a similar experience with her children flying United and barely edited R-rated movie.
So, what can you do about it? First, talk with your kids about your values and expectations. Even if the aircraft is equipped with in-seat entertainment, the choices aren't always kid friendly. Plus, you never know what the guy across the aisle is going to be watching on his iPad. Make sure they have books, movies, etc of their own to help them avoid these other images.
Second, remind the airlines that families are still traveling and that you are holding them accountable. Sometimes the airlines get so focused on their business travelers (read: men 30-55) that they don't bother accommodating the needs of other groups. Drop them a quick email to let them know you want better entertainment choices. Here's a list of the major airlines website addresses-look for the feedback section.
www.delta.com
www.united.com
www.continental.com
www.aa.com (American)
www.jetblue.com
I let Delta know about my discomfort and I received an email response in just a few business days. Hopefully, their response was sincere. Here is what they had to say:
Thank you for contacting us. On behalf of everyone at Delta Air Lines, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced due to inappropriate movie played on your recent flight.
As a public carrier, the showing of movies presents us with a unique challenge. After reading your comments, I understand why you wanted to bring this matter to our attention. We understand that you and the other passengers may have noticed certain scenes which were
objectionable. While viewer discretion is recommended, I take the opportunity to apologize for your discomfort if the material was offensive to you. Although the programs are edited for an airline
audience, films may contain material not suitable for everyone. We strive to offer a variety of entertainment choices across multiple genres. With that in mind, content does not necessarily reflect the views of Delta Air Lines. Customer feedback is important to us to evaluate our overall performance. Be assured your comments will be shared with our Global Product leadership team.
As our valued customer, you are an integral part of our customer base and we are always interested in your feedback. Thank you for taking the time to write. We deeply value your business and look forward to your continued patronage.
Sincerely,
Yohan P. Nicholas
Coordinator, Customer Care
Delta Air Lines
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