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American Airlines Bans Internet Porn

By: Sherri L. Shaulis

Posted: 10/08/2008

FORT WORTH, Texas - It seems airplane passengers looking for an adult entertainment fix during a transcontinental flight might need to stick with magazines and DVDs.

American Airlines has announced it will work with its wi-fi provider Aircell to block adult websites on its Internet service during flights. The announcement came just days after Delta Airlines announced a similar policy. Delta also uses Aircell for its in-flight wi-fi access.

American Airlines is currently offering Internet access on 15 Boeing jets that fly 25 times each day between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco or New York and Miami.

The program originally had no restrictions on what sites or information passengers can access. Complaints from passengers and flight attendants prompted the policy change.

The "vast majority" of travelers use good judgment in what they look at, according to American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith.

"Customers viewing inappropriate material on board a flight is not a new scenario for our crews, who have always managed this issue with great success," Smith said.

Last month, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants asked American to consider the Internet filtering process, but did not object to DVDs or magazines during its discussions with airline representatives.

Officials from American and Delta are working with Aircell representatives to develop a filtering technology.