IndiGo to third largest – in terms of market value – airline in the world. Indian carrier tests new feature from May – ability to select passenger gender seated next to him. Women, because the pilot project was created with them in mind, can decide whether they want to sit next to a man or a woman during the flight.
When choosing a seat, the seat next to you will be highlighted in pink if it was purchased by a woman. Information about gender is provided by airline customers when booking a ticket. The new functionality is available on all flights and intended only for female gender. IndiGo to the only carrier in the world allowing female passengers such a choice.
Holidays 2024. What do passengers think about this special idea?
The line's design was met with enthusiasm by Internet users. “Great idea! I always travel alone and my experiences in this matter have been awful lately” – we read in a comment on the X portal.
On the website Reddit, one passenger shared her negative memories of a flight that concerned travel comfort: “I once sat between two men on a plane. There was practically zero space between them, and I lacked the courage to ask the crew to change seats. Fortunately, one of the flight attendants offered me an empty seat by the emergency exit.”
Although the comments are mostly positive, there was no shortage of negative comments. also critical opinions. For some internet users, the solution proposed by IndiGo is sexist in nature and is discrimination against men.
However, according to the information provided by the carrier, the new function was introduced as survey responsewhich asked women what would make their flights more comfortable. IndiGo is proud to announce the launch of a new feature that aims to make travel more comfortable for our female passengers. The project was developed based on market research and is currently in the pilot phase, in line with our #GirlPower ethos – reads a fragment of the airline's statement published by CNN.
– We are committed to providing an unparalleled travel experience to all our passengers, and this new feature is just one of many steps we are taking. towards achieving this goal – IndiGo adds. Similar functionality is already available in other means of transport in Indiasuch as trains and buses.
Are passenger problems the genesis of the initiative?
While the carrier cites a desire to ensure maximum comfort for all passengers, it is likely that the change in policy was also influenced by reports of incidents involving men that occurred recently on board Indian flights.
IndiGo is largest low cost airline in India. It operates over 2,000 domestic and international flights daily. Last year, the carrier became the first Indian airline to carry 100 million passengers in one calendar year. IndiGo's success has certainly contributed to the growth of the tourism sector in India.
According to an October report by Booking.com and McKinsey, Indian travelers are expected to five billion leisure trips by 2030. It is estimated that 99 percent will be domestic trips.