During their latest earnings calls, the CEOs of American Airlines and United Airlines avoided directly addressing questions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, instead emphasizing their commitment to hiring the best talent. Their responses stood in contrast to Delta Air Lines, which reaffirmed its commitment to DEI and sustainability, despite some backlash.
American Airlines: Prioritizing Hiring the Best Talent
During American Airlines’ earnings call on January 23, CEO Robert Isom responded to a question about the airline’s DEI policies by stating that the company has always sought to hire the best team members.
While CNBC’s Leslie Josephs pointed out that American Airlines’ website describes DEI as “foundational” to the company’s culture, Isom did not confirm whether these policies would change. Instead, he emphasized the airline’s focus on:
- Serving 650,000 customers daily
- Managing a workforce of 130,000 employees worldwide
- Ensuring customer satisfaction and profitability
He concluded by saying that caring for employees and customers will remain the airline’s top priority, guiding future decisions.
United Airlines: Merit-Based Hiring Approach
Similarly, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby took a neutral stance on DEI-related questions during the January 22 earnings call. He reiterated that United Airlines hires on merit, emphasizing that the company attracts high-quality candidates:
- Over 600,000 applications were received for fewer than 10,000 positions in the past year.
- This allows United to be selective and hire only the best of the best.
Kirby pointed out that the airline’s diverse workforce naturally emerges from this hiring approach, adding:
“We are performing better than any other airline globally post-COVID, and our diverse yet highly skilled workforce is a major reason why.”
United’s Shifting DEI Commitments
United Airlines previously made DEI a key focus, setting company-wide DEI goals in 2022 and tying them to executive incentive plans. However, recent changes suggest a decreased emphasis on DEI:
- The 2023 Corporate Responsibility Report no longer features a dedicated DEI page, instead linking to a broader “People Impact” page.
- A 2021 document had previously described DEI as “core to the way we do business.”
This suggests a more subtle approach to DEI moving forward, rather than an explicit, public commitment.
Delta Air Lines: A Different Stance on DEI
Unlike American and United, Delta Air Lines took a firm stance on DEI and sustainability during its January 10 earnings call. Chief Legal Officer Peter Carter stated:
“Sustainability is about being more efficient in operations. DEI is about talent, and that has been our focus.”
This aligns with Delta’s long-standing view that diversity is essential for attracting top talent and driving business success.
Delta’s CEO on Government Policies
Despite its strong DEI stance, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed optimism about the current administration. However, he also criticized regulatory overreach, suggesting that a Trump-led administration might ease some regulations introduced under President Joe Biden.
While Delta Air Lines continues to publicly support DEI initiatives, American Airlines and United Airlines have shifted to a more neutral stance, focusing instead on hiring merit-based talent. The contrast in approaches reflects growing political and corporate debates surrounding DEI policies in major industries. As the 2024 US elections approach, airlines may face further scrutiny over their hiring and diversity commitments.
