‘Woke’ peaked around 2020, when United Airlines lobbied to bring back affirmative action in California and Delta – which flies older, less-fuel efficient planes and owns an oil refinery – claimed to be carbon neutral.
Now even Meta (Facebook) is removing tampons from men’s rooms. Southwest Airlines is promising not to use quotes in hiring and so is American. Delta, though, says it’s standing by its DEI and ESG efforts.
During the carrier’s fourth quarter earnings call last week, Chief Legal Officer Peter Carter responded to a question from the Wall Street Journal‘s Ali Sider about whether they’re following the lead of other companies “rethinking of sustainability pledges and DEI commitments.”
No, we are not. We are steadfast in our commitments because we think that they are actually critical to our business. Sustainability is about being more efficient in our operations. And really DE&I is about talent, and that’s been our focus. And of course, the key differentiator is our people.
Indeed, at Delta “Sustainability is about being more efficient in our operations” –
Ironically, Delta was replaced by American Airlines in the Dow Jones North America Sustainability Index. After all, Delta’s fleet is made up of older, gas guzzling planes. And that was even before the airline’s claim of carbon neutrality turned out to be based on an ‘ESG but Evil’ carbon credits scam.
I’ve long said that Delta drives a hard bargain with its suppliers, partners, and customers (in a 50-50 deal, Delta takes the hyphen) and that while they’re a good airline their marketing far outstrips the reality. Of course Delta’s DEI and sustainability efforts are a fig leaf for efficient cost cuts and marketing, so of course they will continue.
Meanwhile, their social efforts continue alongside plans to codeshare with Saudia and enter a joint venture with Riyadh Air, the two flag carriers of Saudi Arabia. Try shaking that with a stick.
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