Air Canada has had to restrict public access to social media replies following a Pride Month celebration that drew more criticism than praise.
The Canadian airline shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighting its inaugural ALL-2SLGBTQIA+ flight.
The brief, 90-second video showcases a range of employees from pilots to engineers, emphasizing their commitment to the “2SLGBTQIA+” community—2Spirit (2S), lesbian (L), gay (G), bisexual (B), transgender (T), queer (Q), and a few others that are often included.
“Our first ALL-2SLGBTQIA+ flight was a genuine celebration of our commitment to inclusion and equality, both in the air and on the ground,” Air Canada stated on X.
However, reactions in the comments were far from positive, overshadowing any supportive remarks. The airline, approaching its 87th year, was met with an onslaught of critical feedback, as reported by Daily Mail.
Despite the airline’s initial optimism, the backlash was swift and harsh, bringing unintended consequences during what was meant to be a celebratory event.
Many commenters voiced concerns that the focus on sexual identity distracted from professional ability. Some expressed frustration, questioning why they should consider the crew’s sexual orientation over their qualifications. One user remarked, “When booking a flight, my primary concern is not the sexuality of the crew. Are LGBTQs tired of being used?”
Another comment pointed out, “Nothing screams ‘inclusion’ like blocking most people from commenting on your posts.”
Another user, identifying as gay, expressed dismay at the implication that flight crew qualifications might hinge on their identity rather than their skills.
This isn’t the first time Air Canada has navigated tricky waters. As reported by Breitbart News, in 2019, the airline abandoned traditional greetings like “Ladies and gentlemen” to adopt gender-neutral alternatives, making significant changes in how staff addressed passengers.
They implemented phrases like “Good morning everyone” to create a more inclusive environment for all passengers, including those who identify outside the traditional gender binary. Language changes were adopted by gate agents, flight attendants, and pilots.
