Air Canada launches all queer flight for Pride Month

Air Canada marked the beginning of Pride Month by operating its first-ever “all 2SLGBTQIA+" flight.

The flight, which comprised entirely of crew and staff who identify as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, or similar identities, was highlighted in a video shared on social media. Air Canada celebrated the event, calling it a “heartfelt celebration reflecting our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality, in the air and on the ground.”

“I’m here to support my daughter,” one station attendant said in the video. "One of my four children is part of this community. When I saw there was an opportunity to support her even more, I signed up for it right away."

A first officer on the flight added, "What this means today is that this is a really special moment. It has to do with visibility, with the possibility of telling everyone that we truly feel welcome and accepted for who we are.”

Captain Maciej, who flies one of the airline’s Airbus A319s, acknowledged the complex initiative as well as the expanded acronym in the video, saying, “It was a bit of a range of emotions this morning coming here and getting dressed for this flight.”

“Now let me get that one straight — a few letters have been added — 2SLGBTQIA+. I do identify with the progress flag. There's something in there that represents me as well, so there's a bit of joy having the opportunity to do this flight today,” he added.

Maciej also took to the intercom while on board to call the flight a “watershed moment in Canadian history.” He then signed off the intercom with a reference from RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Air Canada has embraced progressive gender policies in recent years. Six years ago, it removed the phrase “ladies and gentlemen” from its in-flight announcements, replacing it with the more neutral “hello everyone.” At the time, Air Canada defended the move as an effort to “modernize” and remove gender-specific language, according to the Daily Mail.