Cross-posted on my website, Corporitics
Last week, I took a look at the soda (pop) companies and how they were involved in the political world. This week, I take a look at 8 US airlines.
Follow me below for the details (and I even included pie graphs this week!)
Jamestown and Plymouth Rock
Alaska Air: Alaska Airlines has 120 planes and 91 destinations. It was founded in 1932 as McGee Airlines and is based in Seattle, Washington.
American Airlines: American Airlines has 605 planes and 260 destinations. It was founded in 1930 as American Airways and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Delta: Delta Air Lines has 714 planes and 247 destinations. It was founded in 1924 as Huff Daland Dusters and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
JetBlue: JetBlue Airways has 172 planes and 75 destinations. It was founded in 1999 and is based in Long Island City, New York.
Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines has 710 planes and 97 destinations. It was founded in 1967 and is based in Dallas, Texas.
United Airlines: United Airlines has 703 planes and 378 destinations. It was founded in 1926 as Varney Air Lines and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
US Airways: US Airways has 338 planes and 204 destinations. It was founded in 1979 as USAir and is based in Tempe, Arizona.
Virgin America: Virgin America has 52 planes and 19 destinations. It was founded in 2004 and is based in Burlingame, California.
San Francisco, Provincetown, and Palm Springs
Alaska received a score of 90 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
American received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (and is a Corporate Sponsor)
Delta received a score of 90 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
JetBlue received a score of 90 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
Southwest received a score of 90 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
United received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
US Airways received a score of 85 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index
Virgin America received a score of 90 on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index.
Denver or St. Paul?
Delta donated $60,000 to the 2008 Republican National Convention
Washington DC
Alaska has donated $411,900 with 52% going to Democrats and 48% going to Republicans
American has donated $9,044,045 with 53% going to Republicans and 47% going to Democrats
Delta has donated $3,262,200 with 53% going to Republicans and 47% going to Democrats
JetBlue has donated $25,000 with 58% going to Republicans and 42% going to Democrats
Southwest has donated $625,300 with 55% going to Republicans and 45% going to Democrats
United has donated $1,909,600 with 54% going to Democrats and 46% going to Republicans
US Airways has donated $676,000 with 66% going to Republicans and 34% going to Democrats
Virgin has donated $0
The following graph shows percentage of total political donations by airline
K Street
Alaska has spent $4,950,000 on political lobbying
American has spent $57,587,067 on political lobbying
Delta has spent $42,135,689 on political lobbying
JetBlue has spent $2,190,000 on political lobbying
Southwest has spent $7,000,000 on political lobbying
United has spent $55,030,627 on political lobbying
US Airways has spent $16,112,609 on political lobbying
Virgin has spent $0 on political lobbying
The following graph shows percentage of all money spent on lobbying by airline
Wall Street
Alaska CEO Brad Tilden has donated $1,000 to Republicans
American CEO Tom Horton has donated $7,250 to Democrats and $1,500 to Republicans
Delta CEO Richard Anderson has donated $56,400 to Republicans and $21,150 to Democrats
JetBlue CEO David Barger has donated $32,400 to Democrats and $19,650 to Republicans
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly has donated $13,100 to Republicans and $6,000 to Democrats
United CEO Jeffrey Smisek has donated $22,200 to Democrats and $5,000 to Republicans
US Airways CEO Doug Parker has donated $112,575 to Republicans and $11,000 to Democrats
Virgin CEO C. David Cush has donated $51,500 to Democrats and $3,300 to Republicans
The following graph shows percentage of total CEO donations by airline
Conclusions
All of the airlines treat their LGBT employees well
American Airlines has donated the most by far to politicians and US Airways donates the highest percentage to Republicans.
American has also spent the most on lobbying, though United Airlines is right behind.
The top 2 donations by the CEO of US Airways are $37,000 to the McCain Campaign and $33,500 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Alaska CEO's only donation was to Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK)
You can find more detailed information about the companies (and 300 others) at Corporitics.