Indian airline IndiGo has become the first airline to allow female travellers to opt out of sitting next to men.
From August 2024, the low-cost carrier will allow its female passengers to select a seat next to another woman during the online check-in process.
The new process will allow women to see the gender of those who have selected seats on the flight while male passengers will only be able to see which seats are available and not the gender of the passenger.
While women-only travel isn’t new on India’s buses and trains, the airline is the first plane in India (and the world) to offer the service.
Many women will attest to the uncomfortable experience of sitting next to a strange man on a flight, whose common offences include manspreading themselves and their stuff within an extremely tight space.
However, there are also more serious offences that leave women feeling vulnerable. Being in such close proximity to a man doesn’t only leave women vulnerable to unwanted advances but the closeness can also make it hard to distinguish whether a brushed hand is accidental or concerning. For this reason, women may find it hard to speak up about incidences that may occur.
This new offering will make flying safer and more comfortable for women, especially minors who may be travelling alone.
We only hope that other airlines jump on board.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
