The World Cup is one of the most widely viewed sporting events on Earth. This year, however, some people are having difficulty actually watching it.
Soccer fans have voiced frustrations with multiple aspects of this year’s World Cup. For example, the addition of mandatory “hydration breaks” has allowed the event to become more plastered with advertising than ever. Plus, getting a ticket at a reasonable price has proven difficult.
Still, many are toughing it out and watching every game they can—unless, that is, they’re flying with Delta, as one TikTok user recently shared.
What Happened On This Delta Flight?
In a video with over 384,000 views, TikTok user @uboxingboy shows the in-flight entertainment screen on a Delta aircraft. He’s watching a World Cup match between South Africa and Mexico.
While the picture is sharp and there’s minimal lag or stuttering, soon, another problem emerged that had the TikToker fuming.
“I hate Delta,” the user writes in the text overlaying the video. In the caption, he adds, “Never going in delta again.”
What was the issue? As the TikToker shows, right when one of the teams was about to make a penalty kick, a notification popped up on the screen reading, “PA in progress. Please remove your headphones.” This notification obstructed the center of the screen, making it impossible to see the game. When this happens, the TikToker becomes visibly frustrated.
It’s Not Just Delta
Any sports fan who’s tried to watch a game live on a flight knows this feeling. After all, this is not just an issue with Delta—it’s standard practice across the airline industry.
There are a few reasons for this. First, airlines are required to ensure that critical announcements are delivered effectively and clearly. This means that such announcements often take priority over other aspects of the flight, such as in-flight entertainment.
Furthermore, airport PA systems are treated as critical to the safety of the aircraft. There are a host of regulations governing their operation, and airlines are required to maintain a direct line of communication with all passengers in cases of emergency. While some announcements may feel inconsequential, the system itself is not.
A Balancing Act
Still, many flyers find themselves frustrated—especially when the announcements have nothing to do with passenger safety. A thread on Reddit complained that United Airlines interrupted a movie to advertise its loyalty program, which commenters chalked up to be a money-making ploy rather than trying to improve the passenger experience.
But, as much as it annoys some passengers, others love the interruptions, as difficult as that is to believe. In a 2014 column for USA Today, former airline captain John Cox explained that, while many passengers tell captains not to make announcements, other passengers request that the captain point out more geographical sights nearby, or note which cities the craft is flying over.
“Each captain has to determine how much information to provide and when to provide it, attempting to meet these competing views,” he states.
Most Flyers Hate It, Says The Internet
In the comments section, users shared in the TikToker’s frustration.
“It is annoying but every airline does it lol,” a user said.
“Bro United is worse,” added another. “They put a massive ‘Announcement in progress’ across the whole screen.”
That said, others claimed the TikToker was overreacting.
“Live television being paused at 36,000 feet traveling 550mph. The most first world problem ever,” declared a commenter.
@uboxingboy Bruh never going in delta again 😔 #mexico #worldcup #football
BroBible reached out to Delta via media relations contact form and @uboxingboy via TikTok direct message and comment.