Flying can be an experience full of surprises, especially when you’re stuck in close quarters with dozens of fellow passengers. While some disruptions, like crying babies or seat-kickers, are almost expected, a recent viral moment on a flight highlighted an entirely different kind of in-flight faux pas. A passenger’s choice of entertainment caused a stir, with some suggesting that their decision was so shocking, they “should be jailed.” But what exactly did this person do to warrant such outrage?
Picture this: It’s February 2023, and the Super Bowl is in full swing. On one particular flight, nearly every screen is tuned to the game as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a nail-biting match that would eventually end in a 38-35 victory for the Chiefs. Everyone on board is glued to the action—except for one passenger.
What was this person watching instead of the most-watched sporting event of the year? None other than Hitch, a 2005 romantic comedy starring Will Smith. That’s right, while the rest of the plane was engrossed in the Super Bowl, one individual chose to enjoy a nearly 20-year-old romcom instead.
A fellow passenger, clearly amused and perhaps slightly baffled by the situation, snapped a photo of the cabin, revealing a sea of screens showing the Super Bowl—with one glaring exception. That single screen, standing out like a sore thumb, displayed Hitch. The caption accompanying the photo read: “The 1 dude watching Hitch on this plane should be jailed. A menace to society.”
The image quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions across social media. Users couldn’t believe that someone would pass up the chance to watch the Super Bowl in favor of a romcom, with many echoing the original poster’s humorous suggestion that the passenger’s actions warranted jail time.
Once the photo hit social media, the reactions came pouring in, and as expected, the internet had a lot to say. Some fans of the movie Hitch defended the passenger’s choice, while others couldn’t wrap their heads around why anyone would skip watching the Super Bowl.
One person commented, “Hitch is my favorite romcom and even I think he should be jailed for this, lmao.” Another wrote, “Embarrassing for him. Watch the game!” While many comments echoed the sentiment that the passenger was missing out on one of the biggest sporting events of the year, some were more forgiving. One person joked, “He’s just trying to find love, give him a break,” while another added, “Dude has some exciting plans when he lands and needs to be ready!”
The 1 dude watching Hitch on this plane should be jailed. A menace to society pic.twitter.com/Cut701G68h
— Brett Hanfling (@Brett_Hanfling) February 13, 2023
Despite the lighthearted tone, it was clear that the idea of watching Hitch during such an iconic moment in sports history struck a nerve with many. After all, the Super Bowl isn’t just about the game—it’s a cultural event watched by over 100 million Americans every year.
So, why did this passenger’s decision to watch Hitch cause such a stir? It all comes down to timing. The Super Bowl is a massive event that transcends sports. It’s a night when even those who aren’t die-hard football fans tune in for the spectacle, from the game itself to the highly anticipated Halftime Show and commercials. Missing out on the Super Bowl is almost like skipping New Year’s Eve—there’s a sense that you’re missing something major, even if sports aren’t your thing.
Hitch is my favourite rom com and even I think he should be jailed for this lmao
— Raghu Sharma – x (@RajBauer) February 14, 2023
What made this moment even more surprising was the fact that live TV was available on the in-flight entertainment system. Many people didn’t even realize that watching live sports on a plane was an option, which only added to the shock when the lone Hitch viewer became the outlier on that flight.
For those who weren’t as interested in the game itself, the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show still provided plenty of reasons to tune in. Rihanna’s highly anticipated return to the stage after a seven-year hiatus had fans buzzing with excitement. She delivered a 12-minute performance featuring a medley of her greatest hits, including “Umbrella” and “Diamonds,” while suspended on a glass platform high above the stadium.
Embarrassing for him. Watch the game!
— Carol Criner (@CarolCriner) February 16, 2023
But that wasn’t the only headline-grabbing moment from her performance. Rihanna casually revealed her pregnancy during the show, sending fans into a frenzy as speculation about her growing baby bump circulated online. It was later confirmed that the singer was expecting her second child with A$AP Rocky, making her Super Bowl appearance even more memorable.
For many viewers, the Halftime Show was reason enough to stay glued to their screens. Yet, our romcom-loving passenger missed it all in favor of a nearly two-decade-old film.
As baffling as it may seem to most, there’s always a chance that the passenger simply wasn’t interested in football—or perhaps they had already seen the Super Bowl highlights earlier and wanted something light-hearted for the flight. Hitch, after all, is a feel-good romcom about love, dating, and second chances. It’s possible that the viewer was in the mood for something a little less intense than a high-stakes football game.
Dude has some exciting plans when he lands and needs to be ready!
— Cynthia McLeod (@SunnyCynthia) February 13, 2023
Or, as one social media user joked, maybe the passenger was just “down bad” and hoping to pick up some dating tips from Will Smith’s character, a “date doctor” who helps men win over their dream women. Who knows? Perhaps they had a romantic date planned after landing and wanted to brush up on their charm.
In a world where people’s in-flight choices usually go unnoticed, one passenger’s decision to watch Hitch during the 2023 Super Bowl became an unexpected viral sensation. While the vast majority of passengers on that plane were glued to the game, one lone screen displayed a romcom, sparking a humorous debate online about what constitutes acceptable in-flight entertainment.
At the end of the day, this viral moment is a reminder that, sometimes, it’s the unexpected choices that get people talking. Whether you’re team Super Bowl or team Hitch, there’s no denying that this story brought a smile to countless faces—proving that, even at 35,000 feet, you can still make waves on the internet.