Delta's top DEI officer sparks fury by canning 'ladies and gentlemen' announcement at departures' gates

Delta Air Lines' top Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) officer has sparked fury after suggesting to ban the term 'ladies and gentlemen' in departure gates announcements.

Keyra Lynn Johnson, Delta's Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Impact Officer, called for the end of the use of the polite greeting, questioning whether it was 'gender inclusive' enough.

The bizarre statement was first made during a panel discussion in February 2021 with other DEI members - and Johnson still sits at the helm of the company's DEI department today. 

'So we're beginning to take a hard look at things like our gatehouse announcements. You know, we welcome "ladies and gentlemen."

'And we've asked ourselves, 'Is that as gender inclusive as we want to be?' she said, referring to the popular expression.

Keyra Lynn Johnson, Delta's Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Social Impact Officer, called for the end of the use of the polite greeting, questioning whether it was ' gender inclusive' enough

Delta Air Line's top Delta's Chief 'Diversity, Equity, Inclusion' (DEI) officer has sparked fury after suggesting to ban the term 'ladies and gentlemen' in departure gates announcements

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'You know, we're looking at some legacy language that exists in some of our employee manuals.

'And getting to the root of the way some things are described and saying, 'Does that actually send a message of inclusivity?'

The airline's push for more inclusive language isn't new.

In December 2020, Delta released a guide instructing employees to 'Use gender-neutral language and pronouns.

'Do not use language that suggests a gender binary (male-female),' the guide explained. 

In December 2020, Delta released a guide instructing employees to 'Use gender-neutral language and pronouns

The discussion sparked a debate on social media with many outraged over what Delta seems to prioritize. 

'Delta is my preferred airline - but not now,' one critic wrote on X. 

'Meanwhile a “non-binary” person competed in the women’s division at the Olympics. That’s just how stupid this s**** is. Make it make sense. You can’t,' another fumed.  

'Maybe Delta should worry more about timeliness, bad customer service, high prices and doors falling off planes,' another pointed out. 

The discussion sparked a debate on social media with many outraged over what Delta seems to prioritize

In 2021, Lufthansa also retired 'ladies and gentlemen' as its on-board greeting in favour of gender-neutral alternatives.

A spokesman for Europe's largest airline group said the move was intended to make all passengers on board feel welcome, including those who do not identify as male or female.

'Crews are being instructed to choose a greeting that includes all passengers,' he said, adding that 'dear guests' or a simple 'good morning/good evening' would be used instead.

Japan Airlines also announced it will use phrases including 'all passengers', 'good morning' and 'good evening' during its English messages.

The formerly state-owned airline was the first Japanese carrier to change its announcements after EasyJet and Air Canada modified their greetings in 2019.