Even The Airwaves On The Airways Get Censored!

With the rivalry between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic rumbling onto it's 27th year, BA have taken the tit-for-tat competition between the two to a different level altogether , 36,000 feet in fact.

In the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, Richard Branson is seen passing through a security checkpoint at Miami airport. But this scene and another of a Virgin Atlantic tailfin have been edited out of the version of the film being shown on BA's inflight entertainment system.

Airlines have a history of editing films shown onboard to the varied audience of passengers to prevent questionable content being played.

Virgin however have always been slightly different, indeed they showed the spoof airline disaster film 'Airplane!' when they first began flying to New York from London Heathrow.

BA says it edits films on the grounds of 'taste and suitability'.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; Clearly BA don't think Mr Branson is suitable or tasteful for their passengers. But I doubt he'll be flying with BA soon anyway so not to worry.

And don't call me Shirley.

Open Skies For The EU ; But What About US?

The EU has come to a landmark decision on an 'open skies' agreement with the United States this week. For the first time in aviation history, this allows flying from anywhere in Europe to anywhere in the US, point-to-point.

Previously, complicated treaties, some dating back sixty years, have been overturned to allow freeing up on transatlantic air routes by US and European airlines.

Some of the particulars of the original agreements saw only two US and two UK carriers fly from the US direct to London Heathrow, the World's most lucrative international airport. At Heathrow, landing and takeoff slots on the two overcrowded runways can exchange hands for millions of pounds.

However, the so called 'open skies' move isn't really that, at least to European based carriers that is. EU based carriers will be unable to fly internally in the US, but US carriers will be allowed to do just that in European airspace.

Once again, it seems that the country with the World's seemingly biggest open market and spirit of free enterprise has closed the door allowing old fashioned government protectionism to keep the US economy in a bubble.

There is a get-out clause that airlines, especially British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are keen to see used, which is the deal is off unless the US government allows foreign investment in the US domestic air market.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; Mr Bush, defender of the faith, protector of the free market, it's over to you.