BA edits Branson from Casino Royale

Virgin boss excised from in-flight version

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Entertainment, 23rd April 2007 14:40 GMT

Virgin supremo Richard Branson is "somehow missing" from the version of Casino Royale shown on British Airways flights, the Telegraph reports.

In the full-fat film, a short cameo shows the multi-trillionaire "passing through a security arch at Miami airport". This proved too much for BA's in-flight entertainment team, which "vets films on grounds of taste and suitability before allowing them to be shown", and Branson duly hit the cutting room floor.

A BA spokesman confirmed that changes had been made to the film, and rather marvellously explained: "All films are screened...we want to ensure they contain no material that might upset our customers."

This is not the first time Virgin has fallen foul of the BA censors, the Telegraph notes. Scenes from The Wedding Date shot in Virgin's premium cabin were also removed "before it was deemed suitable for BA passengers". ®

Free whitepaper: Comparing Data Center Batteries, Flywheels, and Ultracapacitors