Before we get started, let me just preface that I understand that I am probably more conservative than the average person. So I am certain that I have a lower tolerance for murder, violence and sex scenes in movies. While I am fine if you want to watch whatever movies you want, I choose not to watch R-rated movies.
The scene: A Delta flight to Cincinnati
My wife and daughter were flying Delta to California and back a few years ago to visit family. As I’ve mentioned a few times before, SkyPesos get a bad rap, but I’ve consistently found good value (AND availability) using them to fly domestically. We actually picked up this trip for 22,000 Sky Miles roundtrip per person, compared to cash prices near $400.
The trip out went fine with no problems (each way they connected in Salt Lake City), but on the way back, an interesting situation arose that I thought was worth sharing
Drama with the IFE
These were Delta jets that had in-flight entertainment (IFE) devices in the seatbacks, and so they spent the flight watching different videos. My wife was in the middle with my daughter on the window. They were watching their various movies when my wife noticed the movie the woman diagonally in front of her (on the aisle of the row in front of her) was watching. She first noticed a fairly graphic sex scene that turned into some pretty graphic violence. Later there was another sex scene with (blurred) nudity. I assume that Delta blurred the nudity and that it was in the original.
My wife was trying to not watch the movie but mostly concerned about my daughter catching a glimpse of who knows what on the screen.
This happened a few years ago, and I did a bit of research looking through the list of the Delta in-flight entertainment movies to try and figure out what movie it was, and I think it was the movie Gone Girl, rated R for “a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language”
What do you think?
Now I recognize that there is nothing illegal about this and I’m sure Delta’s corporate lawyers have ensured that they are in full compliance with the law (probably by blurring out some / most of the nudity). I know an R-rated movie shown in a theater can not admit people under 17. But this is essentially public transportation where you stand a small but certainly non-zero chance of having a child even sitting NEXT to you that can totally “watch” your R-rated video. I’m sure it still complies with the laws
Still, it feels like Delta might take a bit more caution in deciding what movies to allow on their in-flight entertainment? I left this feedback in the Delta survey about the flight, but Delta apparently does not care as nobody responded to me.
And setting aside what Delta may or may not do, would you as a passenger make choices about what movies you would or would not watch based on the fact that everyone around you including possibly children can see everything you’re watching? Or is a situation where “this is my bubble so I can pretend nobody else is around and do whatever I want”?
Not to mention the fact that this particular person was on the aisle, meaning that just about anyone walking up or down the aisle past this woman would be able to “watch” the movie.
What do you think? Am I making too big of a deal about this? Do you look at who your neighbors on a flight might be before deciding what movies to watch?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
It is even worse on international flights as they don’t edit movies. I picked 300: Rise of an Empire without looking at the rating, which has a violent sex scene in it that appeared to be unedited. I was sitting in the bulkhead so it was an armrest IFE that I was able to face down because I was afraid someone would see it and be offended.
If I had known that scene was in the movie I wouldn’t have watched it, but not everyone would feel the same.
I don’t think there is an easy answer other than hoping people start to realize a plane is really no different than a big flying bus and think about if they would do or watch the same thing on a bus.
This doesn’t just apply to the airline provided entertainment – passengers can and do bring recorded movies on board on their own devices and create the same situation. I do make decisions about what to watch considering those sitting around me because I don’t want to offend anyone.
We just came back from a Delta flight. The man in front of my husband (middle seat) decided to watch Hustler. There was a young lady beside him, who was not with him, that seemed uncomfortable. She kept turning towards the isle. Really, so because he needed to watch an R rated movie, she was forced to see it to. In these circumstances consideration for others beside yourself should be first and foremost. Sad that these creeps are everywhere.
Oh, think of the children!! Yes, you are.
OMG… You turned the screen down. Holy crap, just ask your kids what the hear / see at school… Must be nice to live in a bubble… No wonder kids nowadays are snowflakes and live with their parents until 30.
They used to edit airplane movies for content, but apparently not anymore.
Personally I will watch what I want to watch on a plane. My advice to fellow passengers is “if you don’t want to be offended, don’t look at my screen”
It seems like the screens are filtered in a way that you can’t clearly see what your neighbor is watching. From an angle. Walking down the aisle though, and seeing it straight on – yes.
But again , don’t look if you don’t want to see. Shouldn’t be loitering anyway.
I’m not saying they should be able to show porn but a normal R rated movie that anybody could walk into a theater and watch is fair game.
For the record, I have a 9 year old son. (Lest someone think I’m not a parent due to my opinion )
You’re right on this subject. I’ve often wondered why bookstores at the airport sell adult magazines. It’s not like you can pick one up and read it on the plane without issue.
The airlines do edit scenes out of movies, not just blurring them. What will be more interesting in the years to come is the increased ability to stream video and most carriers going to BYOD model. So you and your daughter are offended by the blurred sex scene that Delta failed on. Wait until the person in the seat next to you or your daughter starts watching XXX or at least a strong R or NC-17. How about something dumb like 50 Shades of Grey.
I’m offended by such content much like I am by the term “OMG” so others may not get it.
50 Shades of Grey
KLM shows that unedited and I really do NOT see a problem.
If you are afraid of your daughter being offended by something she sees on a plane, you should ask one of the flight attendants for a blanket that she can wear over her head for the entire flight.
LOL! 🙂
you are bringing up an issue which all parents have in their mind, that the government controls the schools curriculum, bans public smoking but allowing kids to watch everything on a plane.
I was on a recent AA international flight where the IFE was showing The Exorcist and Taxi Driver. My feeling is that you should be able to watch what you want. There are flights as long as 17 hours these days and it’s nice to not be forced to watch nothing but Disney-fied edited films. The screens are small enough to be personal. You can try and protect your kids as much as you want, but I was exposed to more from kids at school and their older brothers than from any movie.
Or you can just fly COPA and see edited content.
Click bait title
Hmmm. I think this is something that raises questions in the USA. In Europe its not a big deal. In the Netherlands we have programs particularly about sex (shown partly blurred) and drugs (presentators take it to see what happens) on public TV. This shows at 7PM or so for yougsters to learn. I think its more a culture difference. I have no problem watching anything thats in the IFE. Of course I would not watch X rated movies on my own devices. But anything else on IFE. Why not.
I normally read the newspaper or books when I fly, but will occasionally watch a movie. I don’t go out of my way to watch movies with murder or nudity, but scenes like this do happen to pop up from time to time. I never give it much thought, even though my kids travel with me most of the time.
My approach is that, if you don’t make a big deal about it, most kids won’t even pay attention because the movie doesn’t look like a cartoon.
LOL Lee – I know what you mean. I’m always amazed how I can be watching something on TV with my kids and they’re totally not interested but the SECOND a commercial comes on they’re all like “oooh ooh what’s that?!!?” 😀
Really nudity. We all have bodies. Who cares
If someone sitting next to you is playing music loud without ear buds, would that bother you? particularly if not your style of music. Using the analogy from posts above is that you “don’t have to” listen. Obviously, you cannot help that and it is offensive.
But, saying don’t look at the screen is the same as above, since it involves one of your natural senses.
In either case you cannot help listening or seeing in a realistic way.
In a public venue, we should all be tolerate of the people around us and how our actions could impact them.
Just because people have kids, does not make them a good parent.
Three thoughts:
1 – If you don’t want to see it, don’t watch. Plenty of people these days seem to think that it’s the problem of other people if they are being offended. Instead, learn how to get around the problem instead. If nothing else, that blanket over your head idea sounds like a great one.
2 – Teach your kids. I mean, really. It’s not the job of the person in the seat in front (or on the side) or the school or anyone else to raise your them. You had them, deal with it.
3 – I paid (either really, or with miles) for my seat, just as you did. I should be able to enjoy it. Even if I’m watching porn. That IFE may not have it, but my laptop could. 😉
Well by that logic, as long as I paid for my toddler to fly on the flight, then he should be able to run up and down the aisles, climb all over you, scream in your ear, or whatever, and I shouldn’t need to do anything about it – you should just “learn how to get around the problem”, right?
Your 2nd thought makes it seem like you don’t have any children (which is fine and your right), but I agree – it is my job and responsibility to teach my kid about sex, drugs and rock and roll. But let’s say that I think that 5 years old is too young for my child to watch scenes involving graphic nudity, sex and murder, it would be NICE if society could give me a little bit of a helping hand here!! 🙂
Wow, some harsh comments, I think you hit a nerve. Every parent wants to protect children from things that might upset or disturb them. That’s why we have PG13 movies so that parents know and can decide if their child is ready for Bambi’s mother to get killed. (I know, that is a G movie). I sat on the isle and could see bits of 4-5 movies had I chosen to watch any of them with no sound. You can see the movies.
Our children grow up too fast as it is. Let them be children and protect them for a few years till they are old enough to have the emotional EQ to handle violent and sexual scenes.
Thank you, Dan for bringing this up. I hadn’t thought about it before. I think we should all think about common courtesy and decency in these situations. A plane is a public place. We should all be thinking not just about our own comfort and enjoyment, but also about the comfort of those around us. Just as we should moderate our voices and our music so as not to be too loud, and bathe properly so we don’t smell badly, we should take care to not watch explicit sex and violence so that children may see it. Do whatever you’d like in the privacy of your own home but please be considerate of others in public as we all share the same space.
Well said, ALK! We all adjust our behavior (or should) depending on where we are and who’s around us. You probably wouldn’t say/do/wear the same things in a bar as you would at a kindergarten Parent’s Night. I don’t worry about watching my language in front of my friends, but would never curse in front of my children or my mom.
And really, if you can’t get through a few hours without a dose of violence and graphic sex … well, that’s a bit sad.
Signed,
Very Far Left-Leaning Liberal Who Doesn’t Care What You Do at Home, But Doesn’t Want to See a Disembowelment on an IFE Screen
Agreed! What is wrong with the desire to support all people and have some tolerance for the fact that it is a public place and can be seen by others. Saying things like, “Then don’t watch.” Have these people ever met a curious child? When you say don’t they want to know why. If you don’t say anything, then they might accidentally.
I don’t think that there shouldn’t be choice but what is wrong with editing sex and extreme violence from a movie like they would on public television. With those gone and no volume, the shows are fairly harmless. I find it a bit disturbing that some people comment that they would watch anything they want sitting next to a small child. Funny, I would be creeped out to watch anything with sex next to a child.
Melisssa – those are your standards, not the standards of others. It is inappropriate to censor content for those who wish to see the content of their choosing. Just like it would be inappropriate for all content to be g-rated and geared exclusively towards small children.
We all have to live together in the world. If we all consider the needs of others around us I know the world would be a better place.
I am not easily offended and generally think others are offended to easily. I am the parent of 4 children and I don’t see a need to limit movie choices on IFE. Also, I feel offended WHEN sex scenes are blurred or “bad” words are edited out of my favorite song. I believe it was Mae West who said “Those who are easily shocked should be shocked more often.”
It is interesting to read the comments here. It appears that the standard now is if I paid for it, I have a right to do whatever I want, and I don’t care about others. Fascinating.
Back in the day, people could smoke in a room (or on a plane) and if you didn’t like it, tough–they had a right to do it. Fortunately, that is no longer the case. I guess politeness and consideration for others has to be legislated before some people are considerate (or at least compliant).
Yes Robert – I had the same thoughts (see my comment to “Just a Note” upthread). It seems like many people want the ability to “do whatever [they] want” up until the point where someone ELSE “does whatever [THEY] want” and it annoys them. Ah well…
I’m not asking for there to be a LAW (or even an airline regulation) that says “thou shalt not watch porn (or R-rated movies or whatever)”. I was just hopeful that people might realize that there are others around them
It’s basically the risk that you take by boarding a plane. We end up seeing things, seeing people, being forced in conversations, smelling people – that we may not wish to. It’s what we get for leaving our home actually.
I certainly understand that you have more conservative tastes. I’ll never say anything negative there. That certainly your preference and you should stand by that. However, it’s not right to impose that upon others. What we think is ‘too much’ is no where that mark for others. I would just suggest that you prepare for the world out there. I realize you may wish to keep R-rated films or other things like that from your children, so perhaps drive them cross country instead of fly?
Just keep in mind that what is a good balance for you regarding what is too much may be highly restrictive and effectively censorship to someone else.
Just some thoughts there for you.
Chad – while I do personally probably lean more conservative than liberal, I’m more libertarian than either and as I mentioned upthread, I really do not want there to be a law or federal regulation preventing this.
After being subjected to Snakes On A Plane for the fifth or sixth time I stopped watching…..
However, I do remember a flight in which the movie was really TERRIBLE, I suggested that the flight attendant change it [they can you know] and he/she did so immediately.
For the record and having an ex wife who worked for an airline, if you are having a problem with service on an aircraft, just ask if the airline employee if Letters Are Still Going Into Employee Files. It’s MAGIC!
Forget about regional carriers, they usually have no idea what an Employee File is.
Obviously this is a ‘damned if you do ‘ , ‘damned if you don’t’ issue for the airlines as evidenced simply by the comments here . You will not be able to prevent your kids exposure to the rest of the world without drastic and unseemly measures . I can not recommend a solution .
Let me just preface this comment by saying that the fact that you are “probably more conservative than the average person” does not endear you to me. However you certainly have the right to your views, and the right to try and bring up your children as you deem safely. There are many “dangers” in this world, from which it is your duty to shield your children. So largely (and presumably this view sits with your own natural conservatism) it is up to you to manage such situations – not even the duty of state or large corporations. As it happens I am Liberal by nature BUT I very much am aware of certain content on IFE. I am very clear that this might not be what others around me want to see – and guess what I don’t watch it as a result. BUT and I stress this – I do this simply through having decent manners. Not because it is my responsibility to protect other people’s conservative/religious views or their children.
Thanks for your comment Evan – it was not my intention to say that that I am “conservative” so I’m the only one who cares about decency or manners. So I apologize if that’s the way it came off.
This is a tempest in a teapot. Kids see and hear worse in school or with their friends. Sure, don’t go out of your way to expose them to more but like it or not – I have mixed feelings myself – kids have access to a lot more than we did at their age.
Nudity is fine. Language can’t be heard outside of your earphones. Gruesome murder is unnatural by anyone short of Hannibal Lecter and any deranged politicians who worship him.
The USA is way too puritanical. Europe is a lot better balanced overall.