I didn't see anywhere in the article that there was any discrimination on the part of Delta, only on the part of the government of Saudi Arabia.

I fly Delta, international and domestic. Delta goes out of their way to aid me in my travel. If some think there is now discrimination on behalf of one business working with another, then those who believe this will never be part of any solution to our bigger problems. Get a life.

If businesses want to stay in business, then need to make these types of sharing business.

What am I missing in the discrimination writers here? Delta stated they DO NOT discriminate who boards their airline. The conduct their travels the same as other airlines - passengers fly that are allowed to fly, based on the receiving country's rules.

MSNBC - this story should be about the quick leap and false statements in the USA today, not a continuation of the same misleading story!

Did you even read the article Adam Smith1? It's pretty clear that Delta isn't discriminating againts anyone.

I wonder how easy it is for a Saudi to fly El Al airlines? Oh wait no one wants to talk about that.

Hey Zeke, instead of wondering about it, why don't you do some research before you spew hatred? I'll wager that Saudi's can fly on El Al.

Adam, did you even bother to READ the article?

The beef should be with Saudi Arabia. Interesting, as the Bush family seems to be backdoor pals with the Saudis, despite their disdain religiously-speaking for Jews. What an odd combo that is.

This is an example of a rabbi with access to the mass media taking partial truths and trying to make a big story out of it.

Here is a great blog that debunks all of Rabbi Jason's "points":

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2011/06/23/delta-no-jews-policy-could-this-story-be-more-wrong/

The fact remains that Delta does not fly to Saudi Arabia, and Delta does not have the final say in who joins SkyTeam.

If you have a problem with who is or is not allowed to get into Saudi Arabia, take it up with the Saudi government.

*face palm

I mean, go ahead and get upset about discrimination...but for the love of God, Yahweh or whoever...pin the blame on the right place.

Its not like its a donkey and you've got a blind fold on.

Let's get Isreal on the phone and find out if they let everyone and anyone into their nation. Something tells me they arent letting in Iranians. Is that discrimination? Surely, not all Iranians hate jews...right?

a quick google search shows that Isreal wont be too happy if you show up with an Iranian stamp.

hmmm...dont dish it if you cant take it my friends. stay consistent.

Hey Zeke, instead of wondering about it, why don't you do some research before you spew hatred? I'll wager that Saudi's can fly on El Al.

Sure they can after filling out 52 forms. Giving their first born. Finally they need to undergo a short 72-month background check. Besides that it's pretty easy.

Also, where the hell did I spew hatred???? We have a drama queen in our midst.

Hate much, freethepeople18?

After I read this article I wondered how quickly the anti-Semites would start spewing their contempt for Jews and Israel. Thank you JESSICA for not disappointing me, I should have guessed you'd be the first one to make such comments. Your prejudice against Jews is well known in Newsvine.

But unfortunately you have your right to free speech and free thought, but your lack of education and compassion is also a fine example of how some Americans constantly abuse these rights. And I guess that is YOUR cross to bear.

Why is it that this story got all mixed up if whether Israel allows Saudi citizens or Saudi allows Israeli citizens to fly into their respective countries. What this story started out as was an accusation that Delta discriminated. That fact was shown to be false but then it got bogged down to as to who discriminates to who. When this story ends can anyone be sure as to how it began.

This is not a Delta decision, or any airline carriers' decision, who a country will let enter. Those that are accusing Delta of discrimination have another agenda and are determined to put out misinformation to those who don't understand.

FYI all, every country in the world discriminates. I can assure you that Korea or Iran often deigns US citizens to go there. And the US often deigns Korea and Iranian citizens to go there. Russian Federation deigns people of certian nationality. Britain deigns entry of others. Libya deigns entry of others. Heck, I just read an article this week stating that France and Spain and other UE countries were update with Italy because certian Arab refuges were illegally crossing into their boards. And Italy was upset that those counties were looking at starting board portals. Come to reality all. Every country deigns someone access based on their nationality and/or religous preferences.

Last time I looked at my AMERICAN passport, it did not list my religion! So how would anyone know if I were Jewish, Christian or a member of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster?

As to stamps to Israel, I'd venture to guess that just as many CHRISTIANS from the U.S. visit as Jews.

Anderson , Please put this story on your ridiculist. People are making a fuss about nothing. Delta flies to Israel and our Arabic speakers certainly had to go though the wringer to get in, but thats just the way it is! The Israeli's even complained about the use of The Arabic language on those flights so Delta removed that position entirely from the flight so as not to "offend anyone". Has anyone made a fuss about that?!

Beth,

The application for a visa to Saudi Arabia asks for your religion.

However, the Saudi government has said that it does not deny visas solely on religious affiliation.

But, again, Delta, or whatever airline you are flying, doesn't give a crap what religion you are. It is only an issue when applying for a visa from the government of Saudi Arabia.

The application for a visa to Saudi Arabia asks for your religion.

Just say none. How would they know?

Beth, you have to put something in there. They would probably refuse an atheist as well. I lived for a while in Indonesia, you had to put your religion on the resident visa application, and it was a problem if you were not one of the official religions. I knew Jews who wrote down that they were Hindu, and my atheist husband said that he was Buddhist, just to get the visa with no hassle.

According to a newer update by the Saudi embassy, all they care about is whether you are Muslim or not.

If you are Muslim, then your visa will allow you access to holy sites. If you are not Muslim, then you will not be able to enter holy sites.

A country has the right to deny entry for anyone who they do not want to let in. What's the big deal? Is it really a big shocker that a muslim country does not want to let Israeli citizens into their country.

The US would have less problems than we do now if we started to deny entry to any clown who wants to come here.

I don't think Many Jews are, but you don't have to be Jewish to have an Israeli passport stamp...what about businessmen? I guess I'm not surprised that any Arab country would take this position (once again demonstrating that Israelis afford Arabs far more rights and freedoms than the converse), but I think Delta needs to be careful in how much they "ally" themselves with such policies.

The international business men I have worked with in the past had two passports, one to use when they went to Israel one for use in countries that wouldn't like the fact that they visited Israel.

savoir laire,

once again demonstrating that Israelis afford Arabs far more rights and freedoms than the converse

Yeah like forcing Muslims to have to wait longer for building permits and then denying them anyway, or bulldozing their houses for not having the proper permit, even though the Jew next door has a house with the same permit. Don't forget the rights they give the Palestinian refugees to never return to their homes in Israel because it would mess up the Jewish majority. Wow what freedoms they give!

If you say so. Besides they bulldoze illegal Jewish homes too. But it seems, that the Arabs who did not leave Israel are doing better than most Arabs. Especially, the Christians. I'm not sure what this has to do with Delta anyway.

Exactly my point, yudl2. The Arabs in Israel enjoy, in general, greater rights than Arabs in many countries, including the right to run for and hold elected office. And as Cynic said earlier, I too will bet that Saudis can fly El Al (though they will get the sh-t interrogated out of them before boarding).

And that right of return crap Zekemob is spewing? Well if the Arab countries themselves didn't instruct all the Israeli Arabs to leave in '48 (because of course it was going to be easier to rout and kill all the Israelis without Arabs living among them), then they wouldn't have this problem, would they?

And that right of return crap Zekemob is spewing? Well if the Arab countries themselves didn't instruct all the Israeli Arabs to leave in '48

Why are you bringing up "Arab countries"? The issue is Israeli and Palestinians only. These "arab countries" Egypt, Jordan and anyone else don't have people living in those refugee camps for the last 60 years. Those are Palestinians who were booted out of their homes "because God said so" and aren't allowed back because "The only democracy in the region" practices segregation and population balancing. Sure buddy. Keep "spewing" B.S..

The Arabs in Israel enjoy, in general, greater rights than Arabs in many countries, including the right to run for and hold elected office.

Yes the right to run for and hold elected office, while there is population balancing that would never allow an Arab to hold any significant office. If the Palestinians were allowed to return home, the PM would be Arab. Let them go home and then hold elections. True Democracy.

Zeke, I'm not sure where you're going. You seem to be rambling more than a little. Actually, the so-called refugees left because the Palestinian and Arab leaders went to war to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian Jewish state.

Last I checked, there were 12 Arab members of Parliament representing four political parties. There Arab Supreme court justices and government ministers and deputy ministers. For a short period time, the president of Israel was a Druse. [OK, that's a ceremonial position] The fact that Israel is far from perfect, doesn't change the fact that Arab citizens of Israel have rights that Arabs in the rest of the mid-east can only dream of, and in some cases, die for.

Zekemob,

Look at the living conditions of Palestinians in Lebanon and get back to me. They have lived in tents for 60 years, they are not allowed to go to school. they have no state medical, etc. They actually live much better in Gaza

You used to be able to travel to Israel on what was called a paper visa which was not stamped on your passport. I am unsure if this option is still available but I knew people who did it all the time.

Bookbuyer:

Yes, you can choose not to get a stamp in your passport, but if your coming from Jordan (like I was last year) then my passport would reflect an exit stamp for the King Hussein bridge, which of course would mean that I was headed into Israel. So yes, if you are flying in and out of Tel Aviv then (as long as the custom's agent remembers to ask if you want a stamp....not always the case) you can hide your visit, but if your entering via a land crossing, either from Jordan or Egypt (or Lebanon---hahaha--I joke of course), then your exit stamp will show that you were headed into Israel and you'll be denied entry.

I wonder who hates atheists more, Muslims or Jews?

This isn't just a Saudi Law...most middle eastern countries that dislike Israel will not let Jews enter...Delta sucks for many other reasons but not this one...and your right, what Jew would want to go there with the way everything is over there.

I have no idea why Jews would want to visit Saudi Arabia or any other Muslim country whose laws forbid their entry!! I would think for reasons of personal safety, if not to limit any financial or tourism support, Jews would choose not to --especially given US State Department notices and warnings. Also, it's my understanding that there are many Israeli laws that put limitations on non-Jews, especially Muslims--like the right to vote or own property, live in certain sectors. ALL travelers are expected to obey the laws of the nations they visit. Quit the whining martyr thing! We all have to obey laws we sometimes don't agree with or even understand.

As a Jew i love the culture and would live to visit but I can't so I won't, there are enough other places I can go. On the other hand my wife's family is from Syria and she would like to see where her father was born and where her family lived but we cannot go there either. Another interesting country we cannot go to is Iraq after we Americans freed the people they will not let us in.

Chris - Israel and Saudi Arabia are still technically speaking in a state of war. Since 1948. It doesn't seem that odd to me that Israeli nationals or close affiliates would face difficulties entering into SA.

And now what? If you actually read the article you'd see Delta didn't discriminate against anyone. As far as the baggage fee, the charge is reimbursable by the govt for military travel so the soldiers weren't paying anything out of pocket.

Read the entire article before you start your bashing of Delta airlines.

NyNy, it's an unfortunate fact, that most of the bozos spouting off on this thread only read the headline and the first couple of sentences before they started posting drivel. Delta is not discriminating against the Jews because they would be punished under US anti-discrimination laws. Not to mention getting sued.

Sean-336944, yes Sean, those spoiled brats in the military. I mean who the hell do they think they are? They put their lives at risk for knuckle-heads like you and do it for pennies a day while dodging bullets and suicide bombers. Then they have the NERVE to expect that they shouldn't pay for their baggage when returning home. What is the world coming to.

By the way, if you think it's easy to get money out of command to pay for items like this you are clueless. Perhaps you should join the military and fight for the freedom that you so clearly take for granted.

Also, they are not employees just like any other. They are members of the finest fighting force the world has ever seen and you should kiss the ground that they walk on the next time you run into one.

Demar,

I would think that one of the first things a soldier learns is how to follow directions.

The soldiers in question were not following the directions of their own superiors.

They were supposed to pay for the bags, then they would be reimbursed. Happens every day. There is an entire office that deals with reimbursing soldiers for travel expenses.

However, the soldiers did not bother to figure out how this was supposed to happen. So, instead, they tried to humiliate people working at an airline counter who had no way of not charging the soldiers for the 4th bag (which the soldiers were not supposed to have anyway).

So, yes, some soldiers are entitled bastards who don't know how to follow directions and who think that humiliating minimum wage workers is the way to promote American values.

Most soldiers are not like this - this is why we have only ever seen one video like this. Most of the soldiers, when they know they are traveling with more than the allotment of bags, go ahead and pay the charge knowing that they will get reimbursed for the baggage.

So, which soldier would you rather have at your side? I'll take the knowledgeable ones that can follow directions.

Hopefully, when I thank every person I see wearing a uniform, those are the soldiers I am thanking.

When was the last time a government decided not to enact a law, however distasteful, because an airline complained 'Hey wait! We fly some of those people there! That would hurt our business!'

Pretty sure the answer there is 'Never.'

Delta has absolutely no say in whether or not Jews or visitors to Israel will be allowed into Saudi Arabia. They're not even saying that they won't fly them. All that's being said here is that Delta will now allow you to book a multi-carrier ticket, that includes Saudi Arabian Airlines, in one transaction, rather than having to book your trip with multiple transactions, thereby making it more difficult and possibly costing you more.

Ohhh cry me a river Ed. They are in a partnership, it doesn't mean they can wave a magic wand and POOF the Saudi's law will magically go away.

Ed,

Are you completely missing out on the fact that it is Saudi law that prevents some people with Israeli passports from entering the country?

Besides the fact that Delta has chosen to NOT fly to Saudi Arabia, how exactly is Delta being immoral here?

I once had trouble getting back into the US (I'm a US citizen), should I blame Delta (or whoever I flew home)?

Delta has had absolutely no policy change. There is no effect on any Delta passengers. The only thing an "interline agreement" means is that your bags can get checked to your final destination. Every other airline in the US has interline agreements with Saudia (or another airline from a country with an anti-Israeli policy like this), so even if you cancel your flight, you will still be flying on an "immoral" airline.

It boils down to the fact that most middle eastern countries do not recognise Israel as a country, so passports from a "non-country" are suspect. This is the same thing that the US does with Native American passports.

Ed

Read the story. When you are finished read the story again. Delta does not discriminate against Jews and it does not even fly to Saudi Arabia. In any case if you wish not to do business with a company that does business with a country that discriminates I wish you well. I hope that you can find a new source for gasoline for your car and by the way what about all those plastic bottles. I would also recommend that you look at your clothes and see where they are made. China puts down its own people should you stop wearing clothes from there because of that.

While I generally agree with you, partnership is too strong a word. They merely have an agreement which lets them book passage on each other's flights. That's it. They are separate and distinct companies; partnership implies a more formal joining, which is clearly not the case. They are, at best, mere agents of each other. And limited agents at that.

That is not true as Saudi Arabian Airlines is joining their alliance. This means they will be sharing technology, employees purchasing, and other resources. They could also codeshare in the future so you would be booking SA airlines under a Delta code

Jerry,

The SkyTeam is simply a marketing alliance. It means you will see Saudi Airlines listed along with Czech Airlines, Air Europa, Aeroflot, and a lot of other airlines you are likely to never fly.

They will not be sharing employees or anything else.

Delta has stated it will not be code-sharing with Saudia.

Delta has also stated that it is not giving Saudi many of the benefits it gives other SkyTeam members such as frequent flyer miles and elite status recognition.

They simply have an inter-line agreement. That basically means that if you book a flight on Delta to, say, Amsterdam, and then you have a Saudi Airlines flight to Riyadh (I am making these up - not sure where Saudia flies), then you will not have to re-check your baggage when you are in Amsterdam.

This is the same exact agreement that every other American airline that flies internationally has with Saudi Airlines. In fact, most of the other airline have more agreements with airlines based in Islamic countries with the same policies as Saudi Arabia.

Sorry but you are wrong. A big part of an alliance is if they fly to New York and Delta has a maintenance facility there Saudi Arabia Airlines will use the Delta employees on their planes. They will also each others personal to man the airport counters. This is why they alliances so they can spread their costs and revenues among the participating airlines. This is much more than just an interline agreement but it is a choice that Delta along with the other airlines in that alliance made which is their right.

Jerry,

You have such a 3rd grade understanding of how things work.

Seeing how Delta does not fly to Saudi Arabia, there will never be any Saudi Airlines personnel working on behalf of Delta, even if that was part of the agreement.

GE Aviation and Air France provide maintenance services already to Saudi Airlines, so I don't see why they would try to get out of their contract with them. A MRO (maintenance) contract is something completely different from a marketing alliance.

I'm sure that Delta might sell them a spare tire or something. Then again, Southwest, which has no interline agreements, was able to buy a tire off of US Air last time I was sitting in PHX.

The airline's union isn't going to let their members man other airline's counters. This would be dumb as I don't believe Delta, which serves few Arabic-speaking countries (all of which have English as a national language as well, I believe). You are thinking of code-share agreements, where I might hold a ticket purchased through one airline, but get served by another. Delta has specifically stated this will not happen.

An airport I know has a joint United/Air Canada desk where United workers will check in Air Canada flights. However, ALL of these flights are codeshares, meaning they are actually United flights on United steel. And, Air Canada has paid for this privilege - it doesn't come from being in Star Alliance.

SkyTeam is a marketing alliance. That is all. You can continue to spew ignorance if you want people who might still not realize you don't know what you are talking about to have confirmation you don't know what you are talking about.

How do expect Delta to respond when they are falsely accused.

Like Yours? Butt Wipe!

calc, Not quite so. As far as I know, SA requires you to state your religious preference. Of course, you could lie, but we don't do that, do we? Be sure not to wear a cross either, or take a Bible with you. even the King james version. I remember growing up that Jewish Air Force personnel were transferred from their unit if it was deployed to SA. And didn't Henry Kissinger have to get special approval? anyways, Mecca is Moslem only.