UPDATE: Confirmed by Virgin Atlantic's in flight entertainment web page. Its listed, however, under "tv" and not under "movies". So is it one of the in-flight options, but not the official turn-off-the-lights in-flight movie?

Patricia Hickey of Mercury Media has confirmed this story to me by email, copying Dylan Avery with her response. Tim Sparke of Mercury Media also confirmed the story to me, and said that the story should get some press tomorrow. Sparke said that the film will run during the month of May.

Mercury Media is a real company, apparently founded by alums of Disney, Sony Pictures, and other large media players.

Press Release:

MERCURYMEDIA AND VIRGIN ATLANTIC AIRWAYS TAKE LOOSE CHANGE TO NEW HEIGHTS

May 1st, 2007 – MercuryMedia International announce they have licensed the 9/11 Internet hit Loose Change 2 to Virgin Atlantic Airways.

The controversial film, made for just $10,000 has attracted over 50 million downloads, and has been broadcast in 50 territories worldwide. It has featured in numerous documentaries about the circumstances surrounding 9/11, and become the film most associated with the growing 9/11 movement. It will debut on Virgin, the first airline to offer the film to its passengers in May 2007.

‘We applaud Virgin’s decision to show the film onboard’ said Tim Sparke, Managing Director of MercuryMedia. ‘Whether you agree or disagree with its thesis, it is arguably one of the most important films this century. To give passengers the opportunity to view the film speaks volumes about Virgin’s wish to connect directly with its passengers.

Rebecca Smith, Manager Acquisitions & Publishing for Virgin Atlantic:

‘Loose Change 2 has been an Internet phenomenon that continues to provoke debate and for that reason we feel it's something our passengers will want to watch so that they can draw their own conclusions.’

About Mercury Media

MercuryMedia was set up in April 2000, to co-produce and distribute factual programming to the international TV, DVD and Inflight markets. Working with many of the world’s leading producers, its catalogue of documentaries and factual series is seen on a variety of different viewing platforms, around the world. Mercury also represents the catalogue of the US network PBS to the inflight market.

About Virgin Atlantic Airways

Since it was founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic Airways has become Britain’s second largest carrier serving the world’s major cities. Now based at both London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports, it operates long haul services to twenty seven destinations world-wide as far apart as Las Vegas and Shanghai.

Virgin Atlantic has enjoyed huge popularity, winning top business, consumer and trade awards from around the world. The airline has pioneered a range of innovations setting new standards of service, which its competitors have subsequently sought to follow. Despite Virgin Atlantic’s growth the service still remains customer driven with an emphasis on value for money, quality, fun and innovation.

Virgin Atlantic currently has a fleet of 37 aircraft, thirteen 747-400s and five A340-300s and nineteen A340-600s. The current average age of the fleet is 5 years and 4 months.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patricia Hickey
Head Of Sales, MercuryMedia – patricia@mercurymedia.org
T: 44 20 7221 7221