In 2013, for example, Delta signed on as the official airline sponsor of the Seahawks, a move that came as Delta's Seattle growth was picking up steam. The airlines each have been trying to lock up local corporate sponsorship deals to bolster their credentials in Seattle. Delta's Seattle network now heavily overlaps with Alaska Air’s. The carriers, which once enjoyed a close partnership, have increasingly been put into head-to-head competition as Delta has built up its own hub in Seattle. That such a flap could become such news speaks to the high-stakes turf battle going on between Seattle-based Alaska Air and Atlanta-based Delta. However, the Times noted it was uncertain whether that would happen since the Alaska Airlines’ gay employee group had already begun to make plans for an alternate event. He said he hoped the Alaska Airlines employees would show up to the parade after all. … I apologize for my miscommunication and any hurt feelings I caused.” “In light of the recent press I would like to clear the air and state I misinterpreted the contractual obligations set in place for Delta Airlines (sic) and I wish to retract my statements made to the Alaska Airline Corporation (sic) with regards to participation in the 2016 Seattle Pride Parade.”īennett adds “it was not my intention to exclude any groups or individuals, regardless of their company loyalties, employer, and group associations.
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In a statement, Seattle Pride president Eric Bennett explained by saying: Now, The Seattle Times – which broke the initial story – followed up on its report Thursday by writing “Seattle Pride organizers have apologized to (Alaska Airlines) after its gay and lesbian employee group was told they couldn’t march wearing any company gear.” It had initially been reported in the Seattle media that Alaska Airlines employees would not be able to march in uniform or in other Alaska Airlines-branded apparel, supposedly because of an exclusive sponsorship deal with Alaska Air rival Delta Air Lines.īOOKMARK: Go directly to the Today in the Sky homepageīut Delta quickly reacted to that report, saying those details were not true. Delta said that if there were any such restriction on Alaska Airlines employees, that it was not Delta that was responsible. Alaska Airlines employees are welcome to march in Seattle’s Gay Pride after all. And reports to the contrary all stemmed from a big misunderstanding, the parade’s organizers say.