IndiGo Airlines Launches Female-Only Seating Option

IndiGo Airlines, India's largest low-cost carrier, has introduced a female-only seating option that allows women to choose to sit next to other women when booking flights, a feature launched as part of its #GirlPower campaign on International Women's Day. The new policy, which will be available from August 2024, enables female passengers to see and select seats booked by other women, marked in pink, while male passengers will not have access to this information. This initiative responds to significant concerns regarding women's safety and comfort during air travel, as highlighted by alarming statistics from India's National Crime Records Bureau. While many women have welcomed the change, some critics argue that it could be discriminatory towards men and nonbinary individuals. The feature aligns with a growing trend towards female-oriented services in public transport, seen in initiatives like women-only carriages on trains. IndiGo aims to enhance the overall travel experience for its female passengers while addressing widespread discomfort with sitting next to male strangers.