Sep 6
KLM and Delta Announced as Official Airline Partners for WorldPride Amsterdam 2026
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Delta Air Lines have officially announced their partnership as the designated airline sponsors for WorldPride 2026 in Amsterdam, set to be the largest Pride celebration in the city’s history. This landmark event, scheduled from July 25 to August 8, 2026, is expected to attract approximately two million visitors from around the world, marking Amsterdam’s return to the global spotlight as a city of diversity and acceptance .
WorldPride is renowned for its scale and influence, occurring every two to three years in different cities and uniting the LGBTQ+ community on a global stage. The collaboration between KLM and Delta Air Lines is a strategic move to facilitate and encourage international participation, leveraging their combined global networks to make travel to Amsterdam accessible for attendees from every continent. With travel as a barrier for many, the airlines’ involvement is regarded as critical to enabling broader representation and participation at WorldPride 2026 .
Miriam Kartman, Chief People Officer at KLM, emphasized that the partnership is more than a sponsorship—it’s a public affirmation of the airlines’ core values. “At KLM, we believe that everyone should be welcome, no matter where they come from or who they are. For us, WorldPride 2026 is more than just an event: it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that connection and inclusion are in KLM’s DNA. We’re proud that, together with Pride Amsterdam, we can bring people together from all over the world to celebrate being yourself,” Kartman stated .
Delta Air Lines echoed this sentiment, reaffirming their ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and respect for all passengers, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Both companies have previously sponsored LGBTQ+ initiatives, including Pride events and advocacy campaigns, positioning themselves as leaders in corporate social responsibility within the aviation sector .
WorldPride 2026 carries the theme “UNITY,” chosen to celebrate the strength of loving partnerships and the solidarity of the global queer community. This theme is particularly poignant given the event’s alignment with major milestones in queer history:
- The Netherlands’ legalization of same-sex marriage in 2001 set a global precedent for equality and human rights. WorldPride 2026 will honor this landmark achievement, reflecting on the progress made and the work that remains for true equality worldwide .
- Pride Amsterdam, now in its 30th year, has grown from a local celebration to an international beacon of visibility, inclusion, and acceptance, drawing participants and activists from every corner of the globe .
- COC Netherlands, founded in 1946, is recognized as the oldest operational LGBTQ+ advocacy group worldwide. Its contributions to social change and legal reform have shaped generations of activism, both in the Netherlands and beyond .
The announcement of KLM and Delta’s partnership has been met with widespread approval from queer organizations and advocacy groups. Many see the move as not just a matter of convenience, but as a powerful statement of corporate solidarity with marginalized communities. The visibility afforded by such large-scale corporate support is seen as a catalyst for further progress, especially in regions where queer rights remain contested or under threat .
As Amsterdam prepares for WorldPride, organizers are collaborating with local and international advocacy groups to ensure the event is inclusive for all identities, including transgender people, non-binary individuals, and those from intersectional backgrounds. Accessibility, safety, and representation are core considerations in event planning, with input from community leaders guiding the development of programming, outreach, and support services .
The partnership between KLM and Delta is part of a broader movement in the airline industry toward greater inclusivity and representation. Both companies have previously implemented internal policies supporting queer employees, including anti-discrimination protections, diversity training, and resource groups. Their sponsorship of WorldPride 2026 is widely viewed as an extension of these values, with the potential to inspire other corporations to deepen their own commitments to equality .
