• Sweden edition

SAS to host first mile-high gay wedding

Published: 2 Sep 10 07:35 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/28722/20100902/

Scandinavian airline SAS has begun the search for a suitable couple to walk down the aisle after announcing plans to play host to the first-ever airborne gay wedding in December.

"It will be a very traditional wedding," SAS spokesman Anders Lindström told AFP. "There will be wedding cake and dancing in the aisles."

SAS is accepting entries from gay couples who wanted to celebrate their nuptials mid-flight from Stockholm to New York on December 6th, with the winning entry will be chosen by an online vote.

The airline said it would pay for the winners' tickets, hotels and honeymoon in Los Angeles, and cater the on-board banquet, albeit with a special wedding menu instead of normal passenger fare.

Lindström said SAS was playing catch-up to US airlines, who have spent years courting gay, lesbian and bisexuals in the United States with targeted marketing and sponsorship campaigns.

The ceremony itself would need to take place in Swedish airspace, where gay marriage is legal, he added.

The wedding couple and their guests would have the entire business class section closed off, in part to avoid offending any other customers who might not approve of the mile-high matrimony.

"We don't want to offend anyone. We hope we won't offend anyone. It is the year 2010 after all," Lindström said.

AFP/The Local (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

08:37 September 2, 2010 by Twiceshy
"The wedding couple and their guests would have the entire business class section closed off, in part to avoid offending any other customers who might not approve of the mile-high matrimony."

OK so the airline is loosing money so fast that SWE, NOR & DK all have to pump in money. Their frequent flyer program is the WORST in the air. There service is just about worthless.

Now, they are going to offend (their words) just about 99% of USA business travelers who are against gay weddings!

Soon SAS will go the way of AIR MEXICANA:

http://www.mexicana.com/cs/Satellite?pagename=MexicanaG5_US_EN/Page/RedirectSiteAlterno_US_EN

Gone for good and I say good riddance the day SAS is gone!
08:44 September 2, 2010 by Nemesis
@ Twiceshy

Are you sure 99% of USA citizens are against gay marriage?
08:52 September 2, 2010 by usconcepts
Nasty, close minded attitude, Twiceshy. 99% is actually closer to 50%. Get your figures straight, pardon the pun. If you don't like it, don't book on the flight. Your homophobia is horrible.

Actually, almost all airlines are catering to the gay traveler, DINKS, dual income, no kids. Look around and you will see how American, Delta, and all the big one are reaching out for this segment of the population. Next time I fly, if I see you on the plane, I will pull the curtain shut so we in business class aren't offended by your straight lifestyle in coach. Geeesh. Move into the 90's already.
09:15 September 2, 2010 by flintis
@usconcepts: if you're religious then "gay" marriages are blasphemous, so this should offend everyone who is a believer.

Depending on which state you come from in the US then the figure could be 99.99%

Not 100% sure but I believe buggery is still illegal.
12:15 September 2, 2010 by Beavis
Im sure they can think of better places to get married than on an SAS plane! But perhaps its a step in the right direction for the worlds most mismanaged airline. Whats next decent fares and safer aircraft!?
12:18 September 2, 2010 by Roy E
This ridiculousness has the potential to become a classic case study in business schools regarding losing focus on your mission statement.
12:35 September 2, 2010 by AirForceGuy
Hey, anything for a buck, er. kroner...
18:11 September 2, 2010 by Life on Mars
All power to the newlyweds. In the spirit of full disclosure it would be great if SAS embraced the genesis of this plan and explained (web site, press release, news conference etc) how it came to fruition, who to contact in case you might be planning similar nuptials, and where, if it exists, they (or the IATA) draw the line.
19:30 September 2, 2010 by Swedelover
Um... you don't think that the U.S. and MANY other countries have pumped insane amounts of $$ into their respective airlines? How about allowing bankruptcy for U.S. flag carriers multiple times? If you think that SAS is the world's most mismanaged airline, you might want to do some research!

They are simply promoting to the gay market, like many, many other carriers. Air New Zealand, for example has a "pink flight" that is entirely billed as a gay flight... it even has drag queen performers! Personally, I think this sounds like fun for the lucky couple and a cost-effective way to promote to the gay market.
19:41 September 2, 2010 by BravoTango
Another way that the gay community is trying to 'legitimize' their relationships. Let them charter the whole plane so people who may disagree with their lifestyle choice don't have to be part of the ceremony.
21:53 September 2, 2010 by HeidiHo
@flintis & @twiceshy

I'm American and I registered just so I could make a comment on this thread. Gay marriage is legal in 5 states in the US, including MA, which is where I'm from. Polls indicate 44% of the country supports same sex marriage. Add in the margin of error and it's nearly split 50/50, which is mostly along party lines. States like MA that are very Democratic support it at nearly 100% and states like Louisiana which are mainly Republican oppose it at about the same rate. Please don't paint all Americans with the same brush. Those of us whom are from the NorthEast are embarrassed by the backwards bigoted ways of the South. They do not represent the whole United States.
21:58 September 2, 2010 by Mr. Puppy
@flintis Plenty of religious people are not offended by gay marriage, including my own grandparents who live their lives entirely through their Church. I also know a gay pastor from my hometown. Anti-homosexuality is not a part of traditional Christianity, if you bother to learn Hebrew and Greek and read the Old and New testament in their earliest existent forms. But you probably base your knowledge of religion on modern day folk interpretations of biased translations of translations.
03:07 September 3, 2010 by capt
Being in the biz I can say the airlines only cater to the dinks because they have money to spend unlike the mom & pop who save for maybe 1 trip a year. We are glad for the business!

Other than that I think this story is gay.
05:10 September 3, 2010 by DavidtheNorseman
Nice try Mr. Puppy, but Christianity and homosexuality are and have always been mutually exclusive, from Sodom on down. Nero understood this...

For the position of the major US churches on the issue see:

http://www.twopaths.com/faq_homosexuality.htm

and the current positions of the three largest denominations in the US are backed by a vast number of theologians very, very familiar with original documents and fluent in Greek and Hebrew.

I can call myself whatever I want but that doesn't make it so.
07:24 September 3, 2010 by flintis
@ Heid1Ho: read what I said "depending on which state"

@Mr Puppy: you must live in a bubble. Homosexuality is blasphemous, I stated "religious" did not state which religions but you assumed christianity. Read Davidthe Norseman he obviously is better read than yourself, & I still beleive buggery (sodomy) is illegal.

@life on Mars: that's where they should by flying to
08:35 September 3, 2010 by Twiceshy
@HeidiHo

Ah the gay agenda. They do not read what other say and then state wrong facts.

Read what I said again. Tell me one time where I said 99% of all Americans are against fag weddings? Not once.

I said, since you may not be able to look up and read again:

"Now, they are going to offend (their words) just about 99% of USA business travelers who are against gay weddings!"

Most business people men and women have high income are conservative and 99% against fag weddings. They are the ones who spend the big bucks for business class tickets. Thus this bone head move along with all the other bone head frequent flyer moves SAS makes will just send them faster towards liquidation as an airline. As a business owner, you can not OFFEND (again their words NOT MINE) the majority of your clients to make happy the smallest segment of your clients and stay in business.

So IMO soon SAS will be the way of the DO DO Bird!
13:05 September 3, 2010 by juan_johansson
@Twiceshy

where are your getting your facts? first off, i know for a fact that SAS has one of the BEST frequent flier programs in the air. so before you continue with your defamation, please include a reference, link, something that can back up your statements, because otherwise its evident that your talking out your ass. so far all youve "referenced" is a link to a bankrupt air mexico, NOTHING to do with SAS. Second, i dont think that 99 percent of all businessmen who are against gay wedding will just pickup and boycott an airline just for this small detail. SAS is a great airline, i say this from experience, and i dont think this will affect that fact.

so please, before you reply, show me some proof of their alleged worst frequent flier program.
13:34 September 3, 2010 by Twiceshy
@juan_johansson

You want facts. Here is just one to start with. I have tons but not time for people who do not fly and understand. BTW I am Platinum with both Delta and Continental Airlines so I do know programs and have over 1 million miles right now!

http://www.flysas.com/en/EuroBonus/Spend-earn-EuroBonus/Earn-points/

You tell me. Any program. Any airline. When when you fly, no matter how much, that your miles go away after 4-5 years. Just crazy. And this is just ONE area that SAS is the worst in the air!

I have flown SAS and know from up front to in back of the plane to lounge and other access they are the worst I have ever flown!

Just wait and you will one day see, like Volvo, soon China or Russia or someone else will buy up what is left over of SAS!
20:06 September 3, 2010 by Sanderlina
Twiceshy, you are an ignorant ass. I'm a frequent business traveler, high income, and 100% supportive of gay marriage.
20:24 September 3, 2010 by 4thtankie
@all supporters of this nonsense

The whole thing is a gimmick by SAS...im sure their parents approve (just to keep the peace) but i am sure they are looking forward to bouncing their grandchildren on their knees......oh dear there won't any will there...fly them off to a gay islnad somewhere and the whol lot of them can be gay together, won't be ridiculed, get married and when they all die off, as there is no kids.....we can take the island back and turn it into a safari park....yuk
21:18 September 7, 2010 by janeway
Swedelover, HeidiHo, Mr. Puppy, Sanderlina:

Thanks for restoring my belief that there are people out there that are NOT religious fanatics and hate monglers, but loving and enclosing!

And to 4thtankie: Hate will never win! Love between consenting adults can NEVER be wrong!
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines

Swedish police hunt man for imam shooting

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man in connection with the shooting of an Uzbek imam in northern Sweden in February. READ »

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Hillary Clinton lines up Sweden visit

Sweden is set to host US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in early June and discussions will concern green energy, internet freedom, Afghanistan and the Middle East READ (1 COMMENT) »

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Ibrahimovic pledges future to Milan

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has stated that he is happy at AC Milan and will honour his contract, while bemoaning the club's lack of financial muscle. READ »

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

'Retard doll' shocks Swedish shoppers

A doll billed as a "real retard" found its way into stores in Gothenburg in western Sweden on Thursday, prompting strong reactions about a campaign meant to draw attention to the treatment of people with disabilities. READ (12 COMMENTS) »

Woman jailed for fatal love-triangle stabbing

A jealous Swedish woman who murdered her ex-boyfriend’s new partner in September has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. READ (13 COMMENTS) »

THE LOCAL LIST
Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden

Ten signs that you've 'gone native' in Sweden

After having lived in Sweden for a certain number of years, many ex-pats start asking, “Am I going native or what?” Check out The Local's guide to tell-tale signs that you may be more integrated into Swedish society than you first realized. READ (16 COMMENTS) »

EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
UK wildlife park animals catch ‘Euphoria’ fever

UK wildlife park animals catch ‘Euphoria’ fever

The Paradise Wildlife Park in the UK has pledged their allegiance to Sweden in the Eurovision song contest by making their own film version of Loreen’s “Euphoria” – complete with dancing animals. READ »

Swedish school reported over 'holy' yoga lessons

Swedish school reported over 'holy' yoga lessons

The "om" chant featured in yoga lessons at a Stockholm school has prompted a complaint calling for them to be banned because of the term's ties to the Hindu religion. READ (25 COMMENTS) »

More Society

Highlights from Follow Sweden

Meet Sanna, 9 years old

Sanna is one of 2 million people in Sweden under the age of 18. Sweden is seen as a good place to grow up. The law makes sure children are well-protected and defends their rights and any organizations work with children's well-being. Read more »

Strindberg, king of drama

August Strindberg's plays shocked society, dazzled audiences and revolutionized drama. A century after his death, Strindberg, with his powerful, timeless themes, is celebrated around the world. Read more »

 

Blog Update: Snuggling With the Enemy

20 May 17:38

The story of K Composite Magazine »

"I’m working on a couple long articles which will be posted here soon. While those are in the works, I thought I’d share this article and interview about my magazine, K Composite, which was recently published on the site Design-Milk.com. Enjoy! Scott Ritcher launched his now digitally glossy mag, K Composite, back when Macs were used..." READ »

Highlights
Thegreenj/Wikipedia (File)
OPINION »
Swedish journalist and columnist Ola Tedin to reflect on how a sometimes uncritical media appears to serve the interests of the Swedish state
Photo: Shayne Kaye/Flickr (file)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Nine of ten tourists 'happy' with Sweden
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
German ambassador Harald Kindermann
OPINION »
Harald Kindermann, the German ambassador to Sweden, talks to The Local about the importance of the German language, nuclear power, and the legacy of the Stasi.
Claudio Bresciani/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
The Local's coverage of the baptism of Princess Estelle
Björn Tesch/Arbetsförmedlingen (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Sweden drifting from 'Swedish model': report
The Local Street Style - Lund
GALLERY »
The Local's Street Style from Lund, southern Sweden.
Olle Lindeborg/Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
The problem of profiting ex-politicos isn't simply money, money, money, argues contributor and historian David Linden
LIFESTYLE »
The Local catches up with Sweden’s comedian of the year Al Pitcher and preview our first ever “Local Lockdown” video segment.
Photo: Aprilbell.stock.xcbng.com
OPINION »
Sweden strips foreign doctoral candidates of the same rights as other tax-paying migrant workers, argue a group of doctoral candidates from the Royal Institute for Technology (KTH).
Marco Vasini/Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden looking for redemption at Euros
Chadawg24/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
'Are Swedes really more polite in English?'
Photo: Nikater
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Saxony with InterRail: a gateway to central Europe
Photo: AGS
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move
Photo: Poker Listings
SPONSORED ARTICLE
No Swedes Signed Up for Most Expensive Poker Tournament Ever
Photo: Jan Videgren
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Bergman blazed a trail for Swedish film
Photo: Contiki
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Ten great reasons to travel this summer
Photo: Stock image
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Swedish university traditions make foreigners feel at home
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

lång

adjective

Lång means long, tall and can be used for height, distance or time.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the Swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
QUALITY ACCOMMODATION ON SWEDISH HIGH COAST
Comfortable Fully Serviced Apartments for Leisure or Business Travel Beautiful surroundings. Internet & Sat TV
www.oldriverhouse.se
Volunteer Venture
Volunteer Venture is dedicated to promoting community tourism by welcoming volunteers and travelers to discover the cultural differences in Nepal as English teaching volunteers, orphanage volunteers, Monk teachers and many more
www.volunteerventure.org/
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se