Imagine settling into your seat for a long flight, only to have an X-r**** movie pop up on every screen—without any way to turn it off. This exact nightmare scenario recently unfolded on a Qantas flight from Sydney, Australia, to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, leaving passengers horrified and scrambling to shield their eyes. In a bizarre turn of events, a technical glitch forced a rather inappropriate film to play across all the plane’s screens, much to the dismay of families and other unsuspecting travelers.
Qantas flight QF59 experienced technical difficulties. Credit: Paul Kane / Getty
Here’s the full story on what happened, how passengers reacted, and what the airline had to say about this unfortunate incident.
What Went Wrong on Qantas Flight QF59?
Flight QF59 started like any other routine journey from Sydney to Tokyo, but things quickly went awry. Due to a technical issue with the in-flight entertainment system, passengers were unable to select individual movies to watch. As a workaround, the crew decided to play a single film on all screens across the plane, based on a group consensus. The chosen film, Daddio (2023), features well-known actors Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn in a gritty drama.
The Content of the Film
In Daddio, Dakota Johnson’s character has an explicit conversation with her taxi driver (played by Sean Penn) about an affair with a married man. The film doesn’t shy away from graphic content, including scenes with n***** and s******* explicit text messages. It’s a provocative drama, not exactly the family-friendly fare you’d expect for an in-flight movie that everyone, including children, would be forced to watch.
The Unwanted X-R**** Show: Passengers’ Reactions
One passenger shared their frustration on Reddit, describing the situation in detail. The post, titled Qantas Played an Inappropriate Movie to the Whole Plane – No Way to Turn it Off!, recounted the shock many passengers experienced when they realized the movie couldn’t be paused, dimmed, or turned off.
“Super Uncomfortable for Everyone”
The passenger explained that the pilot had taken off despite the in-flight entertainment malfunction, meaning the movie had to be played on every screen with no way to stop it. “It took almost an hour of this before they switched to a more kid-friendly movie, but it was super uncomfortable for everyone, especially with families and kids onboard,” they wrote.
Families reportedly struggled to cover young eyes, and many adults found themselves uncomfortable with the explicit scenes unfolding on the screens in front of them. The post highlighted how inappropriate it felt to have graphic content displayed so openly, especially in a confined space where passengers had little choice but to watch or close their eyes.
Social Media Backlash
As you might expect, social media quickly caught wind of the situation, and people were not happy. Other passengers commented on similar experiences, sharing stories of awkward in-flight entertainment mishaps and expressing sympathy for the unfortunate passengers. Questions were raised about how an airline could allow such an oversight, especially on a major international flight.
Qantas’ Response to the Incident
After the flight, Qantas issued a public apology and explanation, admitting that the film selection had been inappropriate. According to a Qantas spokesperson, the airline was unaware of the film’s explicit nature when it was initially played. When they realized the content wasn’t suitable for a general audience, they attempted to change it but encountered technical difficulties.
Apology and Resolution
The spokesperson said, “The movie was clearly not suitable to play for the whole flight, and we sincerely apologize to customers for this experience.” They explained that once the technical issue was resolved, the film was replaced with a family-friendly movie in line with Qantas’ standard procedures for such situations.
A Review of the Movie Selection Process
Following the incident, Qantas announced plans to review its movie selection and screening process, aiming to prevent similar issues in the future. The spokesperson added, “We are reviewing how the movie was selected to ensure all content is suitable for viewing when individual selection isn’t possible.”
Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn’s R-rated film, Daddio, was displayed on the screen. Credit: Michael Buckner / Getty
How Do Technical Glitches Like This Happen?
Airline in-flight entertainment systems are complex and rely on several software components to function properly. When a glitch occurs, it can disable individual controls, leaving the crew with limited options. Typically, airlines have measures to prevent inappropriate content from appearing on all screens, but as this situation shows, technical failures can override those safeguards.
Why Are X-R**** Movies Even on Flights?
Most airlines offer a mix of movie genres, including comedies, action films, and dramas, to cater to different passenger preferences. However, adult-themed content is generally accessible only when the passenger opts in and selects it individually. In this case, a system malfunction removed this option, allowing the movie to play for everyone—a rare but not unheard-of glitch in in-flight entertainment systems.
The Importance of Failsafes
This incident underscores the need for robust failsafes in entertainment systems, especially those on public transport like airlines. Ensuring that adult content can’t play on shared screens should be a priority, and many airlines are now taking extra steps to improve their systems.
Everybody on the flight was forced to watch the same film. Credit: Grant Faint / Getty
The Potential Impact on Qantas and Future In-Flight Entertainment
Qantas, known for its high service standards, will likely face some scrutiny over this incident. Although the airline has apologized, incidents like this can affect passenger confidence. For travelers, in-flight entertainment is a big part of the flying experience, especially on long-haul flights. A mishap like this not only disrupts that experience but also raises questions about content monitoring.
What’s Next for In-Flight Entertainment?
In response to such incidents, airlines may update their entertainment systems to include stricter content controls and improved functionality checks. Some may even explore alternative forms of entertainment, such as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) systems, which let passengers stream content to their own devices, reducing the need for shared screens.
Conclusion: An Unfortunate Lesson in In-Flight Entertainment Risks
The Qantas incident serves as a reminder of how quickly things can go awry due to a technical glitch. While in-flight entertainment is generally a convenience and a pleasure, this incident has revealed the potential downsides of centralized systems that lack effective content controls.
Qantas has pledged to review its selection process, and we can hope that other airlines will take note and reinforce their own safeguards. For travelers, this story might serve as a heads-up to be prepared for the unexpected when it comes to in-flight entertainment. With a bit of luck, future flights will be better equipped to handle similar situations, allowing all passengers—young and old—to travel in comfort and peace.
