BA cuts Branson from Bond film
2007-04-21 22:26
London - British Airways exercised its licence to kill by cutting Virgin Atlantic chairperson Richard Branson out of the version of the latest James Bond film it shows on its flights.
BA's entertainment team cut a cameo appearance by Branson that appears in the original version of Casino Royale, a spokesperson confirmed on Saturday.
In the original film, Branson can be seen turning around after walking through a metal detector at Miami Airport.
"We screen all films before they're used on our aircraft so that we can control the content of what is displayed," the spokesperson said on condition of anonymity, in line with company policy.
"We have full control over what is shown."
The tail fin of a Virgin plane appearing in the film is also obscured in BA's in-flight version.
BA's entertainment team vet films on grounds of taste and suitability.
Branson appeared in the film after his airline provided the producers with a plane to use in the movie.
Relations between the rival British carriers were further strained last year after Virgin Atlantic Airways provided US and British authorities with information that triggered an investigation of alleged airline price-fixing in passenger fares and fuel surcharges involving British Airways.
- AP