SEATTLE—
Alaska Airlines is retiring prayer cards from its meal trays, after 30 years of giving passengers spiritual words to reflect on while they eat. Airline spokesperson Bobbie Egan says the decision was made after hearing from customers who preferred not to mix religion with transportation.
She says the cards began as a marketing ploy to differentiate the regional airline from its competitors. The cards offer a rotating message of different psalms from the Old Testament.
Airline employees say the cards disappeared from planes’ main cabins about six years ago, when meal-tray service there was phased out. The cards have remained on meal trays in first class.
For a long time, the airline got more positive comments than negatives ones. But lately, opinion has shifted.
Egan says the decision was made out of respect for all of their customers.
The airline sent an email to its frequent flyers on Wednesday explaining the change. It will take effect Feb. 1.
