All aboard as Delta people take part in Amsterdam’s colorful Canal Parade to celebrate Pride

Delta Air Lines' appearance at Amsterdam's Canal Parade showcased the airline’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Delta supports the LGBTQ+ community and values the differences that make it stronger as a company.

Staff Writer

Aug 7, 2023 11:45am

Delta Air Lines people were proud to join the Canal Parade, one of the highlights of the Amsterdam Pride festival, on Saturday, Aug. 5. This was the first time the airline has taken part in the colorful event, which attracted thousands of spectators along the city’s canals.

Delta’s boat, decorated with rainbows and clouds and featuring the Widget tailplane, sailed along the waterways with a crew of Delta people wearing ‘Pride in Flight’ t-shirts. They were joined by guests from KLM, Delta’s joint-venture partner airline, as well as LGBTQ travel influencers and DJ Bo Monde, Miss Gay Holland 2017.

Matteo Curcio, Delta’s Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, who was also on the boat, said: “Delta is about bringing people and communities together; Amsterdam Pride’s theme #YouAreIncluded is entirely in tune with that. We were thrilled to be part of this celebration and to have fun with our colleagues and customers.”

Matteo Curcio, Delta’s Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, joined other Delta people at Canal Parade, one of the highlights of the Amsterdam Pride festival.

The event showcased the airline’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Delta supports the LGBTQ+ community and values the differences that make it stronger as a company. “We are very grateful to everyone who helped make this happen. Our Delta team here in The Netherlands was so enthusiastic and passionate about taking part in this event,” said Raymond Timmer, Delta Cargo Manager. “It was a wonderful experience, and we hope to do it again next year.”

“Delta connects the world and aims to ensure that everyone – no matter how they identify – is respected and valued,” said Dewayne Queen, president of Delta’s EQUAL, a voluntary business resource group representing Delta’s LGBTQ+ employees and their allies. “Delta takes its role as a leader in inclusive travel and workplace sense of belonging seriously, and we are committed to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion worldwide. That’s why we were delighted to be here in Amsterdam celebrating this wonderful event.”

Dewayne was joined onboard by three other EQUAL members.

The Canal Parade was one of the many activities that took place during the Amsterdam Pride festival, which ran from July 29 to Aug 6.