Air Canada holds celebratory flight for Black History Month

All-Black crew includes 2 pilots, 8 flight attendants

Air Canada holds celebratory flight for Black History Month

Air Canada took to the skies with its celebration of Black History Month this year.

The airline held a celebratory flight to commemorate the achievements and contributions of Black employees when it comes to aviation. On Feb. 11, Flight AC914 from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale and return flight AC917 were flown with a Black crew of two pilots and eight flight attendants. 

The flight was also planned and supported by Black managers and employees on the ground and behind the scenes.

"We salute and acknowledge the achievements and contributions of Air Canada's Black employees who brought forward their idea of operating today's Black History celebratory flight. We are very pleased to champion their identity, pride, and enthusiasm for this special, inaugural flight,” says Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, executive vice president, chief human resources officer and public affairs at Air Canada.

The flight not only demonstrates Black representation in aviation, but also lets qualified Black people know that “they have a place in our industry,” say Yolanda Cornwall, customer service training specialist, and Claudine Martinell, concierge and premium customer excellence, who are members of the Air Canada Black History Month Committee.

Many Black nurses (88.3 per cent) have experienced racism or discrimination on the job, according to a recent report.

Everyday challenges for Black employees

Black employees encounter a lot of everyday challenges at work, according to Randstad Canada, as they:

  • have to change their behaviour, way of speaking, appearance, or self-expression “to be taken seriously”
  • mentally prepare for discrimination
  • face systemic exclusion to education and opportunities
  • face microaggressions and biases basis on their identity
  • find their authority is disputed more often than their white colleagues
  • find that workforce inclusion policies aren’t built to Black workers’ needs
  • are often expected to be a voice for their entire community
  • face unrealistic expectations.

Despite employers planning to make their workplace more diverse through different programs, many have failed to follow through with their plans, according to an earlier report.

And many employers are not getting it right in recruiting diverse talent, according to one expert.

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