Qantas apologises after accidentally airing 'inappropriate' entertainment content

In a world where air travel has become as common as hopping on a bus, we've all come to expect the occasional hiccup during our journeys.

From the lack of legroom to delays or lost luggage, seasoned travellers know to brace for the unexpected.

However, passengers aboard a recent Qantas flight were subjected to a shocking experience that went beyond the usual travel woes.


Passengers for a Qantas flight from Sydney to Haneda recounted their experiences with the airline's broken entertainment system, which forced passengers to go through snippets of an X-rated film.

One passenger shared the ordeal on social media.

'I was on Qantas flight QF59 from Sydney to Haneda, and the in-flight entertainment system was down. After a one-hour delay, the pilot decided to take off, but the only option left was for the crew to play a movie on every screen,' the anonymous passenger wrote online.


compressed-inflight entertainment.jpeg
Passengers were only able to enjoy a more appropriate movie after an hour in their flight to Haneda. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Aureliy


'It was impossible to pause, dim, or turn it off. Here's the kicker: the movie they played was extremely inappropriate.'

The film in question, Daddio (2023), was an R-rated drama featuring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn.

The film's explicit material—which included graphic scenes and obscene language—were the last things passengers would expect on the communal screens of an aeroplane.


The situation was particularly distressing for families with children on board.

It took nearly an hour before the crew switched to a more appropriate, family-friendly movie.

Upon realising the error, Qantas attempted to rectify the situation.

'The movie was clearly not suitable to play for the whole flight, and we sincerely apologise to customers for this experience,' a Qantas spokesperson said in an apology.

'All screens were changed to a family-friendly movie for the rest of the flight, which is our standard practice for the rare cases where individual movie selection isn't possible.'

As of writing, the airline is reviewing its entertainment system policies to prevent similar incidents from happening again.


Qantas has a reputation for quality service for everyone—including families.

However, this blunder is a stark reminder that even the most well-regarded institutions can slip up in embarrassing ways.

For travellers who frequent the skies, this is a reminder always to be prepared for the unexpected.

While we trust airlines to provide a comfortable and appropriate environment, things can go off course in the most surprising ways.
Key Takeaways

  • Qantas inadvertently played an inappropriate film to passengers on a flight due to a technical error.
  • The film, which featured graphic nudity and explicit messaging, was played on every screen and could not be turned off.
  • The crew changed it to a family-friendly children's film after an hour in flight.
  • Qantas has apologised for the incident and started reviewing how the film was selected for their entertainment system.
Have you ever encountered similar glitches during your travels? Share your stories with us in the comments below, and let's talk about entertainment at 30,000 feet.
 
Sponsored

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×