Alaska Airlines ends 30-year policy of giving prayer cards with meals

I don’t often fly Alaska Airlines, and I can’t remember the last time I paid for an in-flight meal, so it’s little surprise that I don’t remember getting a prayer card with my meal. And it looks like I’ve missed my window nonetheless. After 30 years of providing prayer cards with meals, Alaska Airlines announced today that it was ending the practice.

The AP explains why:

The airline sent an email to its frequent flyers on Wednesday explaining the change that will take effect Feb. 1.

“Religious beliefs are deeply personal and sharing them with others is an individual choice,” said the email signed by both airline CEO Bill Ayer and President Brad Tilden.

The email said some of its customers enjoyed the cards but others were offended by them.

This seems like a pretty simple business decision, and not out of line with Alaska Airlines policies when you consider that the prayer cards started as a marketing ploy.

It also seems like branding from a bygone era. It’s rare these days to hear of mainstream businesses incorporating religious messages into their services—one reason that In-N-Out’s biblical references have drawn attention.

(Hat tip: Sarah Pulliam Bailey)