The bright side of airlines and a touch of AI

I stumbled upon the following article on WestJet’s website while looking for good news: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/who-we-are/cares/make-a-wish – the perfect topic for a Saturday article, light and optimistic… What are airlines for the general good?

Interestingly, all airlines, large and small, flag carriers and LCCs alike, and from all parts of the world all support charities. Some do that in a more visible way, other are more discreet. If you’ve been flying long enough, you probably remember times where flight attendants passed through the cabin collecting loose change for charities. Our cashless age and the introduction of the Euro probably made this obsolete but airlines are nevertheless still actively supporting charities.

What is your take on this?

Do you think this is a touch of cynicism from large profit making organisations? Or a real, heartfelt gesture from companies which use their position and means to support those in need?

The reality is likely somewhere in the middle, and rooted in the employees themselves, a handful of them seeing an option in making the best of the advantages of being an employee brings.

Quoting help alliance‘s website: “In 1999, 13 Lufthansa employees founded an organisation for all socially engaged Lufthansa Group employees, and a lot has happened since then. help alliance has been a non-profit limited liability company under the umbrella of the Lufthansa Group since 2017“.

The Emirates Airline Foundation is also run by employees and “friends” on a voluntary basis: “Focusing particularly on children trapped in extreme poverty, the foundation, made up of volunteer employees and friends of the Emirates Group, strives to reduce illness and childhood mortality rates.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, the foundation provides humanitarian, philanthropic aid and services for children, with the minimum amount of administrative expense.“

The story told by airlines is often based on the same elements:

• A charity is created by volunteer employees
• The airline supports them by allowing them to collect donations on board
• The airline also offers some transportation for free, either for passengers needing it or for cargo used for relief of those in need

From a management point of view, there is certainly a motivation factor at play: if some employees come with such an idea, allowing it certainly raises their motivation and loyalty and even more if the airline tops-up donations.

Airline employees anyway often benefit from discounted (non-rev) flight advantages and if they use it for a good cause, putting some marketing on top to multiply the effects definitely is a win-win situation.

Do you donate to such organisations, in one or the other ways, be it cash, scratch cards (hello Ryanair…), miles, or may be time? Does this come into consideration when you choose an airline?

Below is a ChatGPT generated list, which we naturally crosschecked, of some charities supported by airlines.

Here is a list of the charities supported by various major and low-cost airlines, along with links to supporting evidence:

Major Airlines:

1. Delta Air Lines:
   • UNCF: Provides financial aid for scholarships and emergency retention grants.
   • National Urban League: Supports job programs for people of color.
   • Women in Aviation International: Empowers women in aviation.
   • The Trevor Project: Supports LGBTQ+ youth in crisis.
   • Junior Achievement: Promotes work readiness and entrepreneurship.
   • American Red Cross: Provides disaster relief and blood drive support.
   • Source: Delta​
2. Air France:
   • Air France Foundation: Focuses on education, integration of youth, environmental awareness, and humanitarian support. It has supported over 1,600 projects in 80 countries, aiding children and young people in difficulty, the sick, and the disabled.
   • Source: Air France
3. Southwest Airlines:
   • Ocean Discovery Institute: Promotes science and conservation leadership.
   • National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders: Supports Latino communities.
   • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas: Enhances STEM education.
   • 100 Black Men of Atlanta: Engages students in robotics and leadership activities.
   • Source: The Southwest Airlines Community
4. American Airlines:
   • Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C): Raises funds for cancer research.
   • American Red Cross: Provides disaster relief and emergency support.
   • Source: Airlink Flight

Low-Cost Airlines:

1. AirAsia:
   • AirAsia Foundation: Supports social enterprise projects and disaster response efforts across Asia.
   • Various local initiatives: Focuses on education and economic development in the ASEAN region.
   • Source: AirAsia Newsroom
2. easyJet:
   • UNICEF: Partners on projects for children’s welfare and emergency responses.
   • The Children’s Hospital Trust: Supports health initiatives for children.
   • Source: easyJet​
3. Ryanair:
   • Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
   • Pequeño Deseo
   • First Climate
   • Renature Monchique
   • Note that Ryanair does part of this work by selling scratch cards on board, which is a very… special way to do it, to say the least
   • Source: Ryanair
4. JetBlue:
   • JetBlue For Good: Supports various charitable activities including education, youth, and community initiatives.
   • Source: JetBlue
5. Norwegian Air Shuttle:
   • UNICEF: Conducts in-flight collections and supports emergency responses globally.
   • Various local causes: Engages in community support and disaster relief efforts.
   • Source: Norwegian