Delta Air Lines has updated its policy to restrict flight attendants to wearing only American flag pins, following criticism of two attendants who wore Palestinian flag pins while on duty.
The airline, based in Atlanta, announced over the weekend that this new policy would be effective starting Monday, as reported by The New York Times.
The policy change comes after images of two flight attendants with Palestinian flag pins went viral on social media platform X last week. One online comment referred to the pins as “Hamas badges,” alluding to the U.S.-designated terrorist organization governing the Gaza Strip. Delta exacerbated the situation with a social media response from its official account, which stated, “I hear you as I’d be terrified as well, personally.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned Delta’s response, describing it as “the latest example of anti-Palestinian racism.”
Following backlash, Delta removed the contentious tweet and issued an apology, declaring that the post “was not in line with our values.”
“We strive for an environment of inclusivity & respect for all, in our communities & our planes. The employee responsible no longer supports Delta’s social channels. We apologize for this hurtful post,” the airline stated on X.
Previously, flight attendants and other airline employees were allowed to wear flag pins of countries other than the U.S. “The photographed flight attendants were compliant with Delta uniform guidelines and we’ve been in touch with them to offer support,” a Delta spokeswoman told The New York Times.
This incident reflects the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on U.S. businesses. Earlier this year, Google terminated over 50 employees who protested the company’s collaboration with the Israeli military.