Delta Air Lines

Georgia
Transportation

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Delta allegedly kicked passengers off a flight for voicing support for Trump on their way home after the January 6th protest, though the company claims this was for the safety and security of its operations. Delta also terminated an NRA discount program due to gun control policy. The company has pledged to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies, supports the Equality Act, and is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Delta has spoken out in opposition of Georgia's election security bill and Trump administration-era immigration policy. For these reasons, Delta Air Lines receives a High Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

Delta allegedly kicked passengers off a flight for voicing support for Trump following the January 6th protest. Delta claims all actions were taken for the “safety and security of [its] operations” (1). Delta Air Lines scored an 85 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (2). Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies and advocate for LGBTQ communities and policies (3)(4). However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to viewpoint disagreements.

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Delta terminated its discount program for NRA members due to gun control activism (1). Delta’s charitable focus areas include education, global health and wellness, and armed forces and veterans (2). Delta matches employee donations to educational institutions (3).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Delta Air Lines does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Delta is an advocate for the Equality Act (1). In March 2021, Delta CEO Ed Bastian publicly praised Georgia’s voting integrity legislation, only to walk back his statement after receiving extensive criticism from advocacy groups. Bastian later released a statement saying that “the final bill is unacceptable and does not match Delta’s values” (2). Delta CEO Ed Bastian has also signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge (3). Bastian is a member of the Business Roundtable but has not supported ideological initiatives (4).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Delta is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (1). Otherwise, it has not used corporate funds to support ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression (2).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
Rationale

Delta has not used its PAC donations for ideological purposes (1).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
September 24, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Voting History

Date
ESG Category
Proponent
Summary of ResolutionMgmt RecTotal Vote % in Favor
6/15/23GovernanceJohn CheveddenRequire Shareholder Approval of Termination PayAgainst59.60%
6/15/23SocialAs You SowAdopt ILO Trade Union Standards and ReportAgainst32.30%
6/16/22SocialJohn CheveddenReport on Lobbying Payments and PolicyAgainst27.53%
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