Violent movie causes flight diversion
United Airlines has reviewed its in-flight entertainment after the screening of a movie with sex and violence provoked such angry protests from a family with young children that a flight had to be diverted.
The parents, with children aged four and eight, complained to the pilot that the film being shown on drop-down screens was inappropriate for the kids and asked for it to be changed.
Nothing happened for more than an hour, according to a report in the Telegraph, after which the pilot announced the flight from Denver to Baltimore was diverting to Chicago due to "security concerns".
At the airport, the family were interviewed by police and border protection officers, then placed on a later flight.
According to the Telegraph, the father accused the captain of the original flight of abusing his power and criticised the airline for showing "grossly inappropriate cinematic content".
The movie, Alex Cross, is rated "15" in the UK and in the US it has a "T" classification, which warns of adult themes.
A United Airlines spokesman confirmed the flight had been diverted, claiming crew had reported a disturbance involving a passenger. He said the airline had since conducted a review of its in-flight content.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026