Air Canada Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Community with Themed Flight
In a significant shift from the past, airlines like Air Canada are now engaging with the LGBTQIA+ community in ways that reflect broader societal changes. Previously, flights featured “stewardesses,” but now, the focus is on including more diverse crew members.
Air Canada unveiled a promotional video celebrating what it claims to be the “First All-2SLGBTQIA+ Flight.” The airline updated its social media branding to include a rainbow version of its iconic Maple Leaf logo. This move raises questions about how symbols related to ethnicity have been integrated into the representation of the flag, even drawing some criticism regarding their appropriateness.
One of the crew members in the promotional material expressed, “We’re the first to do it—Canada has embraced these 2SLGBTQIA+ flights.” The acronym represents a variety of identities, including “two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual,” hoping to be as inclusive as possible.
Air Canada tweeted, “Our first All-2SLGBTQIA+ flight was a heartfelt celebration that reflected our unwavering commitment to inclusiveness and equality in the air and on the ground.”
It’s curious to ponder what one might expect from an “alphabet flight.” Will we see a Drag Queen Story Hour at cruising altitude? Perhaps there will be themed snacks, like lesbian-themed pretzels? According to the video, the flight featured a crew entirely made up of 2SLGBTQIA+ members.
The crew emphasized that the purpose of the flight was to celebrate the community alongside workplace and societal inclusivity. However, there have been some peculiar reactions, recalling moments when other service sectors, like Starbucks, faced backlash over dress codes that some employees deemed limiting to their expression.
It raises a question: Why the fixation on public perception for these employees? It’s a transparent irony, especially when reflecting on references to entertainment like Rupaul’s Drag Race, where gender-fluidity becomes material for pop culture.
One can’t help but think about the concept behind this marketing push. A hypothetical brainstorming session might have gone like this:
“Great idea! It’s bright and vibrant. But honestly, what does this relate to flying?”
In a climate marked by recent aviation tragedies, it seems businesses are exploring new ways to engage, albeit through themed casualness. Still, a lingering thought remains: who, among the diverse crew, is actually piloting the plane?
