Elon Musk Issues Warning to Boeing Over Alleged DEI Prioritization Amid Alaska Airlines Incident

Tech mogul Elon Musk has raised concerns over Boeing’s alleged prioritization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring practices, following an incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft’s door blowing off mid-flight. In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, Musk questioned whether passengers would feel safe flying in an airplane manufactured by a company that seemingly prioritizes DEI hiring over safety management.

“Do you want to fly in an airplane where they prioritized DEI hiring over your safety? That is actually happening,” Musk wrote in response to a post by James Lindsay, who highlighted a 2022 SEC filing from Boeing.

The SEC filing revealed a shift in Boeing’s incentive plan, with a move from rewarding leadership for increasing profit and prioritizing safety to rewarding them for achieving DEI targets. Boeing’s filing outlined a change in focus for the year 2022, incorporating climate and diversity, equity, and inclusion into its long-range business plan.

The impact of Boeing’s DEI initiative extended to its supply chain, with the company co-leading industry efforts to align on a voluntary industry-wide approach to Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance (ESG) assessment and education.

By the end of 2022, Boeing reported success in its DEI incentive program, noting in its 2023 report that it had tied incentive compensation to inclusion for the first time in the company’s history. The report stated that Boeing had exceeded its goal of achieving diverse interview slates for at least 90% of manager and executive openings, resulting in 47% diverse hires at those levels. The company has raised the bar for 2023, aiming for at least 92.5% diverse interview slates.

The scrutiny of Boeing’s hiring practices and its commitment to safety comes in the wake of an alarming incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft. The aircraft’s door panel blew off mid-flight, causing depressurization of the cabin and leading to an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon. The incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground every Boeing 737-9 Max with a plug door until safety can be assured.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, in interviews with CNBC, referred to the mishap as a “quality escape,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to addressing any factors contributing to such incidents. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues its investigation into the incident.

As Boeing faces scrutiny over safety concerns and the broader aviation industry grapples with the balance between diversity initiatives and safety protocols, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the priorities and practices within the aerospace sector.