Airline to allow women to pick seats if they don't want to sit next to men
Who you sit beside on a plane plays a significant factor in how your flight goes, and now one airline is rolling out a new seating feature for female passengers to make them feel more comfortable.
Indian airline IndiGo is launching a new option that will let women flying with the airline to prebook seats allowing them to sit next to other female passengers.
According to an IndiGo press release, the aim is to make female passengers feel more at ease during flights.
The feature will use Passenger Name Records to identify female travellers who are flying alone or with family. When checking in, they will be able to view what seats other women on the flight have reserved and can pick where they would like to sit accordingly.
“This has been introduced as basis market research, and it’s currently in pilot mode aligning with our #GirlPower ethos,” stated the airline.
“We are committed to providing an unparalleled travel experience for all of our passengers and this new feature is just one of the many steps we are taking to achieving that goal.”
The new feature was noted by one X user on May 27.
“Not sure if it’s good / bad, safe / unsafe but suddenly noticed this on IndiGo seat selection. Calling out “Occupied by Female” for some seats,” they said.
Not sure if its good / bad, safe / unsafe but suddenly noticed this on IndiGo seat selection. Calling out “Occupied by Female” for some seats. pic.twitter.com/fS6IBAAHBe
— Khabri Lal (@khabri_lal) May 28, 2024
The feature was met with mixed reviews from others on social media.
Some felt it was an “innovative” move.
Innovative & good idea. Especially for minors travelling by themselves. Good one IndiGo! 👏
— Sonia Chopra (@SoniaChopra2) May 29, 2024
That’s a great initiative. Hope rest of the airlines follow it.
— ratna nanda (@nandaratna4) May 29, 2024
@IndiGo6E That’s a great move
— vvlsravikumar (@vvlsravikumar) May 29, 2024
Excellent facility added. I myself have faced discomfort sitting next to male passengers. They really don’t sit properly
— Noopur Dongre (@DongreNoopur) May 29, 2024
One X user expressed concern about the security of the feature and if men could be able to access it.
You sure only females will check this?
— kanzzzz (@kannibansal) May 29, 2024
While another said it added to the “stereotype” that all men make women uncomfortable.
Thank you Indigo for further endorsing the stereotype that all men make female co-passengers uncomfortable 😣
— Ankit Nanavati (@ankitnanavati) May 30, 2024
Other airlines have been implementing different comfort options for their passengers.
Last fall, Turkish-Dutch airline Corendon Airlines started testing an “adult-only zone” on its flights. The airline said this zone is meant for passengers without children and business travellers who want to “work in a quiet environment.”
What do you think about IndiGo’s new feature for female passengers? Let us know in the comments.
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