You asked for an excuse for his behavior and I gave you one.
How many seforim ask for you to look at the best in people and try to find excuses why someone might do something that appears to be wrong
Maybe this yid was a very nervous flyer and could not really read a book (I personally get naseaus trying to read in a moving vehicle and cannot read on a plane or train) and did not want to disturb his fellow passengers so tried to use the onboard entertainment to keep himself calm and occupied