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Non-Binary Airline Passengers Will Have More Gender Options Soon

Non-binary travelers will shortly have a wider array of options available to them during the airline ticket booking process. The changes – which may come into force as early as June 1st – come as A4A and IATA give their approval to new standards concerning non-binary identification among travelers.

ABC News reports that non-binary travelers will shortly have a wider array of options available to them during the airline ticket booking process.

Members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and airline industry body Airlines for America (A4A) have given their approval to new standards concerning non-binary identification.

What this now means, reports the outlet, is that, “Passengers flying with airline giants such as UnitedAmerican and Southwest have announced that they will be making changes to their online booking process to reflect the standard.”

In a statement, United said, “As part of our commitment to inclusion, we want to ensure all of our customers feel comfortable and welcome no matter how they self-identify, which is why we will begin offering our customers the ability to select the gender with which they most closely identify during the booking process.”

Offering his comments on the subject, Vaughan Jennings, A4A’s vice president, communications, said, “U.S. airlines value a culture of diversity and inclusion, both in the workplace and for our passengers, and we work hard each day to accommodate the needs of all travelers while delivering a safe, secure and enjoyable flight experience.”

Arli Christian, state policy director for the National Center for Transgender Equality, offered their comments to the outlet, stating, “A4A’s work is in line with other states who offer gender-neutral designations on IDs and is an important step toward ensuring safe and smooth travel for all passengers regardless of their gender.”

The outlet reports that these new standards could be in use as early as June 1st.

[Image: pexels/Lucas Decrock]

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9 Comments
J
johnnywho February 28, 2019

"we will begin offering our customers the ability to select the gender with which they most closely identify during the booking process.” So what happens when a customer books a flight 6 months ahead and then, all of a sudden, closely identifies with a different gender later? And how many gender options are being offered by the airlines?

M
Mtothe M February 26, 2019

Kannai, please explain all the benefits of binary, non-gender identification changes to book a flight.

G
Gizzabreak February 23, 2019

So, who volunteers to be first to transit DXB, DOH or AUH with an 'Mq' (instead of Mr or Mrs) honorific emblazoned on their passport and/or onward documentation?

S
strickerj February 22, 2019

I’m not sure what the point of this is as I don’t recall having to specify my gender in my reservation. The issue of transgender identification seems to have gotten an inordinate amount of attention in the media and pop culture considering how few people it affects.

R
redreeper February 22, 2019

I have never experienced a gender specific event when flying, why is it necessary to specify gender when booking? (real question, as I believe documents use for ID have gender on them so what you pick does not really matter....?)