Airlines have advertised their bad seats and now they are advertising on their bad seats. America West has begun selling advertising on tray tables. Can overhead bins and window shades be far behind?

The obvious advertisers who will run after this abusive tactic will be marketers of products and services with frequent flier mile tie-ins. People who play the frequent flier miles game know where to get miles. They don't need these in your face reminders. The other obvious advertisers are rental car companies. That will be a waste. How many people get on a plane wondering who to rent a car from when they get there? Most people have already booked their car before their trip began.

If ever there was an application for off-line advergaming this is it. Board game companies should be lining up to entertain the captive audience with samples from their games.