New York – UPDATE: Airline Spokesman Says It’s Saudi Arabia, Delta Does Not Discriminate

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    New York – Earlier today some Jewish and Christian readers in the blogosphere were fired up about stories that Delta Airlines, in its new alliance with Saudi Arabian Airlines, might wind up enforcing a Saudi policy of not admitting Iraelis and non-Islamic religious items like Bibles on their flights.

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    Delta Air Lines spokesman Trebor Banstetter responded with its non-discrimination policy and posted on their blog:

    We’ve gotten questions today from you, our concerned customers, following an article about Saudi Arabian Airlines joining SkyTeam (the global airline alliance that includes Delta as a member). After listening to many of your thoughts today, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some information and help to clarify some of the questions we know you have.

    First and foremost, I think one of the most important things to mention here is that Delta does not discriminate nor do we condone discrimination against anyone in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, or gender.

    That said, some have raised questions about whether Saudi Arabian Airlines’ membership in SkyTeam means Delta is adopting any type of policies that could present barriers to travel for some passengers, including Jewish customers. For this particular concern, it’s important to realize that visa requirements to enter any country are dictated by that nation’s government, not the airlines, and they apply to anyone entering the country regardless of whether it’s by plane, bus or train.

    We, like all international airlines, are required to comply with all applicable laws governing entry into every country we serve. You as passengers are responsible for obtaining the necessary travel documents, such as visas and certification of required vaccinations, and we’re responsible for making sure that you have the proper documentation before you board.

    On a personal note, I want to share with you all that I’m proud to work at a global airline that serves a diverse customer base with an extremely diverse workforce, and I hope this blog has helped answer your questions on this important topic.


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    32 Comments
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    eighthcomment
    eighthcomment
    12 years ago

    I’m not sure what he said, but if this policy was discriminatory against arabs, the liberals and arabs would boycott.

    12 years ago

    But they chose to partner with them and it is Delta person
    nel that will be making sure the flights are judenrein

    12 years ago

    I sent them the following email after logging in with my miles number
    “I am a JEW, descendant of holocaust victims.
    Apparently your airline has decided to participate in discriminating against Jewish people and you will be checking to make sure your flights to Saudi Arabia are judenrein (free of Jews). This is the sort of thing that started in Germany in 1933 and culminated in the killing of 6,000,000 of my brethren by regular German citizens who “were only following orders”.
    I am among the many Jews who will not fly delta until this disgraceful anti-Semitic decision is reversed.

    A disgusted former client. “

    12 years ago

    Sorry but Delta should refuse to deal with such racists and anto semites its a very poor excuse from Delta. The US made sanctions on any country that dealt with the then racist South Africa. etc.

    12 years ago

    Boycott Delta all the way, all jews should redeem their mileage on different airlines, and good riddance to delta.

    curious
    curious
    12 years ago

    I remember Delta’s old jingle: “Delta gets you there, we get you there with care.” Well I guess they get some people there. They clearly don’t care! They will work with racists if they can earn a dime. And he says he’s proud to do it. How could anyone be proud to work with a more diverse group when it is only more diverse through bringing in exclusionary groups?
    Shame on Delta. I am done with them. I also urge everyone else to take this stand. Spread the word!

    Boochie
    Boochie
    12 years ago

    Did you know delta flies non stop to tlv

    benny45
    benny45
    12 years ago

    I honestly don’t understand what this whole uproar is about. The policy makes perfectly sense, what else do you want arrive there and be sent right back home losing you money you paid for the ticket? Or maybe even worse being thrown into jail for being Jewish and trying to enter the country? As I understand this policy is for our own good and to avoid us trouble, since the fact is that Jews trying to enter Saudi Arabia have a lot of trouble. Anyways what’s the point of them allowing Jews onboard if they won’t be permitted into the country anyway, why would any Jew fly there?

    ikleinit
    ikleinit
    12 years ago

    I Wonder if EL-AL. Would try the same thing with Muslim’s being restricted from flying to Jerusalem , if delta would have the same response !

    12 years ago

    Does this mean that Delta will not permit its Jewish personnel (flight attendents, pilots) to staff a flight to Saudi Arabia? Sounds like discrimination to me.

    Babishka
    Member
    Babishka
    12 years ago

    Jews are not allowed to fly to Saudi Arabia on any other airlines. It’s not like Delta has made up something new. Why is this even news?

    aliva123
    aliva123
    12 years ago

    What about Jewish workers on their planes, will they be told that because of their religion they can’t fly there ? this is ridicules,

    the Arab states have not learned their lesson to separate state from religion,
    that’s how all other countries in Europe were saved.

    MidwesternGuy
    MidwesternGuy
    12 years ago

    Delta’s excuse is lame. They could have taken a principled stand and refused to enter into such a partnership. I believe the marketplace will sort this out, as passengers defect.

    Moreover, it would be nice to strike at the country that makes up such policies. Time to drill here and end our dependence on Saudi oil. Let the Arabs pound desert sand.

    12 years ago

    The issue is American Law being violated on American soil. No one is forcing Delta to partner with Saudi Air. They can stop right now. Are you in favor of a Corporation circumventing U.S. law? Saudi law does not take effect until you reach Saudi airspace. If this stands, then countries like China will start doing the same thing. In our airports…

    12 years ago

    I also sent them a scathing email. I urge everyone to do the same AND choose another airline. Hit them where it hurts – in their revenues.

    jayclass
    jayclass
    12 years ago

    How about boycott saudi oil and do not buy gas from stations that get oil from the mideast.

    lbpss
    lbpss
    12 years ago

    Not that I would want to go there but isn’t saudi arabia a so called free country that hets lots of money from the u.s. every year? I believe the u.s. should deal with it as well as shame on delta to partner with such a country.

    my4amos
    my4amos
    12 years ago

    So Delta wouldn’t let you on a flight if you don’t have proper paperwork (visas) to enter the country of the flight destination. What carrier does? Why is this even a news?

    Don’t like Delta partnership with Saudi? Boycott them. How about American Airline OneWorld aliance with Lufthansa, Gulf Air , Etihad and Royal Jordanian? Boycott them too. But that OneWorld includes ELAL as well. So ELAL is in partnership with Golf Air and Etihad! Let’s boycott them all!

    12 years ago

    Just got off the phone with Delta. I called their headquarters in Atlanta. After a polite conversation i told the woman that I don’t by her story. Delta may not discriminate directly but by associating with Saudi Arabia Airlines they are indirectly supporting discrimination. Why do you want to associate yourselves with a country that practices an extreme form of Islam I asked her? I reminded her that she couldn’t even drive a car or be seen talking to a male who is not a relative there. I told her there is an old Jewish saying. “People judge you by the friends you keep” By allowing Saudi Airlines to join Sky Team you are putting business before ethics and morals. Therefore immediately I am cancelling my Sky Mile membership with Delta and will no longer fly Delta.