Tribeca Film Festival pulls United Airlines ad from screenings
When a 30-second ad for United Airlines’ Polaris Business Class ran before the first film last Wednesday at the opening gala at the Tribeca Film Festival, it was met with laughter by the crowd at Radio City Music Hall.
Most, undoubtedly, were surprised that United would show an ad about how well the airline treats its passengers so soon after an April 9 incident that showed Chicago aviation police yanking passenger David Dao off an overbooked flight.
The Tribeca Film Festival has pulled the ad from screenings after viewers continually derided the commercial, according to a story in the New York Daily News.
United Airlines is a Signature Partner for the festival and will remain so, as it brings many of the artists to the festival. But, according to the story, the removal of the ad was reportedly a joint decision.
The Hollywood Reporter, in the Daily News story, noted that Tribeca Film Festival spokesperson Tammie Rosen said: "United is a valued partner of the Tribeca Film Festival and we are grateful for their continued support of our filmmakers and the arts."