Does my iPad need an internet connection when I START to play a movie rental?

[john]

I read a post from 2008 from someone complaining that he did not have an internet connection on a plane and was unable to watch the movie which he downloaded. Is this how the system still works?

If so I'll need to start watching several movies before getting on an international flight. I'll also need to decide which ones I want to watch on the way and which on the way back since there is only a 24 hour window. Ugh.

[67perks67]

no, internet connection is not necessary