Matt Damon ousted from United Airlines seat in spoof Jimmy Kimmel ad
Jimmy Kimmel has enlisted the help of his ultimate 'frenemy' Matt Damon to rip United Airlines in a spoof campaign.
The fake film is underscored by Damon and Kimmel's longstanding fake feud, which was ignited when the presenter off-handedly apologized to the actor for bumping him from an episode of his late-night show.
Showcasing serene in-air scenes and panning shots of United Airlines jets in flight, the ad starts out by referencing the brand's recent PR disaster in which an attempt to remove a passenger from an overbooked flight ended up in a blood-splattered, global outcry.
"United has been trying to stay out of the spotlight this week, but they started running a new commercial today," said Kimmel.
He added: "I think they may have to get rid of their celebrity spokesman."
The audience then hears Bourne Identity actor Damon waxing lyrical about the company in a voiceover segment.
"We’re United Airlines. We work hard to get you safely to your destination and that’s why we..." Damon says.
He then interjected: "You know what? No, no, I can’t do this anymore, because I know what it’s like to get bumped. Trust me, I’ve been getting bumped from Jimmy’s show for the past eight years and it takes a toll.
"We’re people, damn it, and we deserve to be treated with dignity, not told night after night, 'Oh, there’s somebody more important so take a hike.' No, it's time to stand up," he says.
Kimmel is heard in the background seemingly removing Damon from his seat to take over and read the strapline: "Fly the friendly skies".
Footage emerged last week of a United Airlines passenger being forcibly removed from his seat by three Chicago Aviation security officials. Despite a defensive initial statement in the aftermath of the incident, United has since said it takes full responsibility and will "fix what’s broken" so the same thing doesn't happen again.