Delta to filter Wi-Fi sites

Delta Air Lines plans to block inappropriate Web sites from its in-flight Wi-Fi service to be launched this year.

Delta previously said it planned to rely on flight attendants to handle inappropriate situations, such as pornography surfing. But after feedback from customers and attendants, the airline changed its policy and is working with Wi-Fi provider Aircell to use a system to block inappropriate content.

“Blocking will be limited in scope and will be for sites that few, if any, would question are inappropriate to be viewed on an aircraft,” Delta spokesman Kent Landers said Thursday. “Our focus is to achieve a balanced approach.”

While other systems have been criticized for blocking relatively non-racy sites such as Vanity Fair magazine, Landers said Delta’s system would work differently.

Delta’s move comes after American’s attendants expressed concerns about passengers’ ability to “potentially go to inappropriate sites,” said David Roscow of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. American said it is examining options.