United Airline’s First EQUAL Pride Flight
United’s LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, EQUAL, staged its first LGBTQ+ staffed Pride flight Saturday, Dec. 4, to raise awareness and highlight the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, and to honor World AIDS Day and those living with HIV/AIDS among our employees and customers.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first recorded case of AIDS, Flight 1991 was selected as a nod to the year when the red ribbon was first used as a symbol of remembrance for those impacted by and lost to the AIDS crisis. The commemorative flight took off from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with fanfare.
Prior to the flight, customers and employees were treated to brunch and a live performance by the Tony-nominated actress Jenn Colella from the Broadway show Come From Away. Attendees also wore red ribbons and were encouraged to donate to LGBTQ+ causes via “Miles on a Mission”.
Additionally, Newark Deputy Mayor Rahaman Muhammad attended the event and gave a speech along with Line Stations Business Senior Manager and EQUAL President Kevin Keado.
While boarding, customers received gift bags with swag, a United Pride pin, and rainbow popcorn (made by the LGBTQ+ owned Epic Popcorn) as an extra snack. Upon arrival at ORD, the O’Hare Fire Department met the flight for a water cannon salute and hit the light just right to make an actual rainbow effect with the stream of water showering the arriving aircraft.
After deplaning, customers were met with clapping and cheering from employees, and they also received colorful leis to further celebrate their participation on this historic flight.
