On Thursday, Delta Airlines became the first major carrier, which will cover the extra income taxes its employees in same-sex relationships pay for healthcare plans. These employees pay extra taxes in states, which don't recognize gay marriages.

This practice, introduced by Delta Airlines, is called ‘grossing up’, in which same-sex couples pay the same tax amount of healthcare as paid by legally married employees. According to the airline, this decision made by the airline will take effect without any delay and taxes will be covered retroactive to January 1. At present, gay marriage is legal in 37 states. But it is not legal in Georgia, where Delta is based.

And now, Delta executives, flight attendants and pilots in same-sex couples, living in the state, will have to pay more taxes for healthcare plans.

According to Human Rights Campaign spokesperson, at least 40 large companies have already done this in addition to law firms, which make employees whole for the tax. The spokesperson added that Delta is the first big airline to take such a step. The decision has been taken by the airline amid support of LGBT rights by big companies.

Earlier, almost 400 companies, together with Delta, urged the Supreme Court to support gay marriage before an April hearing associated with a case, which could probably make it legal throughout the nation.

Several companies, together with Paypal, Apple and NASCAR, criticized an Indiana law; the law could have allowed business owners to avert LGBT customers. An amendment to the law was signed by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence following a week of heavy criticism.