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Airline Divides Internet After Launching Feature For Women to Avoid Male Seatmates
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Airline Divides Internet After Launching Feature For Women to Avoid Male Seatmates

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One of India’s biggest airlines, IndiGo, has unveiled a feature that allows female passengers to avoid sitting beside men. The carrier, which operates more than 2,000 domestic and international flights per day in the country, hopes that the new option will make flights more comfortable and secure for women.

The unprecedented move is set to take effect starting August 2024, and it will allow the gender of the person sitting next to each passenger to be disclosed exclusively to female customers, allowing them to specifically request seats beside each other.

Highlights
  • India's IndiGo airline announced a feature that will allow female passengers to avoid sitting next to men.
  • The option will be available to female passengers during the online check-in process starting August 2024.
  • The initiative was created after a survey showed that women wanted more comfortable and secure flights.

India’s airline IndiGo has become the first in the world to give female travelers the option never to have to sit beside a man ever again

Image credits: Pexels/RAGHUL K.K.

The initiative is the first of its type in the aircraft world and was made after the company conducted a survey asking female customers to express which measures would make travel more comfortable for them.

IndiGo is specifically a low-cost carrier, which means their flights come with smaller seat spaces compared to more expensive alternatives. This, coupled with the rising cost of tickets all around the world, has made the need for comfort in economy flights more important than ever, especially when it comes to women who, according to studies, are more sensitive than men to the reduction in space.

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Image credits: Pexels/Chen Te

The option will be made available to all flights booked online and will take place during the check-in process. Once the identity of the buying passenger is confirmed, the feature will show both the seats available and the gender of the customers who bought them, allowing women to make an informed decision on the matter.

IndiGo expects the change will make flights safer and more comfortable for women, especially those traveling on their own and minors.

“We are committed to providing an unparalleled travel experience for all our passengers, and this new feature is just one of the many steps we are taking towards achieving that goal,” said the company in a statement to CNN.

This is not the first time India has implemented female-only features in travel services

Image credits: Pexels/RDNE Stock project

For more than a decade, suburban trains, such as the Mumbai Metro and Delhi Metro, have offered compartments specifically designated for female passengers. 

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During peak hours, these services also dedicate entire carriages to female passengers. The success of these trains has inspired similar initiatives in other public transportation systems, such as buses and taxis.

Other countries have implemented similar measures, such as Japan, Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, and the Philippines, which also offer similar gender-exclusive transportation safety protocols in an effort to protect women from being harassed or groped due to the high volume of passengers during peak hours.

Netizens congratulated the airline for the decisions, while others shared their experiences with men making them uncomfortable during flights

Image credits: Pexels/Jojo Tesini

“Good step! Men in certain regions have an itch in their hands that doesn’t go away without touching the private parts of a woman!” commented one user on Facebook.

“As someone who was felt up on a Qantas flight a few years ago this is an amazing step to help people feel safer when traveling. Well done to this airline,” said one user, congratulating Qantas, IndiGo’s codeshare partner.

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Image credits: Pexels/Athena Sandrini

On Reddit, more users shared their experiences. 

“I had a seat beside a married guy who was searching for a mile high cheating partner, who couldn’t understand the meaning of no.” said one commenter. “My cousin’s brother changed seats with me, but still the creepy guy tried to change seats near me.”

“I’ve been there. Except that one side was an uncle with no civic sense, and the other side was a guy trying to hit on me and giving me no space. One of the worst flights I’ve taken,” shared another.

“It makes me wonder what kind of society we’re living in when we feel the need to do this,” shared one commenter, and others also reflected on the causes behind the new option

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Abel Musa Miño

Abel Musa Miño

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

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Abel Musa Miño

Abel Musa Miño

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Abel is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Santiago, Chile, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a diploma in International Relations. In his spare time, you can find him tinkering with his motorbike, playing with his dog, or reading a good novel.

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

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Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

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KatSaidWhat
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check out men being riled by this.. meanwhile SA in India amongst worst in world and women have jailed for the audacity of being raeped.

Atom Bohr
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the comparison of a crying child. I'm reminded so often of the phrase "men worry a bad date will leave them unhappy or humiliated; women worry a bad date will leave them dead". A lot of men just don't get that women aren't just talking about convenience or comfort, but safety.

Load More Replies...
Maartje
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should be higher even though it will not prevent all predation, since with some people being a predator seems to be built in.

Load More Replies...
Guess Undheit
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaaaaaaand where's the problem? There are many cities around the world that have women only subway and metro cars because perverted cisgender heterosexual males can't keep their hands to themselves. Males are the problem, not the "victim".

Maartje
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was assaulted in a subway station in London. A lady who saw it happen suggested I report it at the station where I got off. I followed her advice. The man I reported it to ( and Indian, coincidentally) ASKED ME OUT. No, I was not wearing anything provocative, I was wearing overalls, of all things (for those of you who cannot help but think that). I considered reporting him but I gave up.

Load More Replies...
JB
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does it say about society or culture that the solution is to have women choose to avoid men?

Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it says that men haven't solved a very basic problem among their own gender that women have been dealing with for tens of thousands of years. And we are f**k8ng sick of it!

Load More Replies...
Bailey
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I don't think this is a positive, and not about protecting women. If they really cared, they would have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour and create an environment where women felt safe speaking up if anything happened. Stuff like this puts the onus on woman to pay extra to be safe, and if anything does happen, then they can blame her for not taking that option if she was concerned. It's not that far a leap from this to societies where the thinking is women "should" be kept separate from unknown men for their own safety, and need a man to run their lives and protect them .

Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Travelling in India, I had the men sitting beside me on planes take pictures of me. Sometimes surreptitiously, but often just straight up camera up with flash. I turned down requests for selfies (wtf?), but the constant picture taking was bizarre and creepy. I would have LOVED this option.

Load More Replies...
FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is fantastic. Now if all the airlines could be like Alaska Air and put parties with kids after row 35, that will solve half the remaining problems.

PFD
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to have parties with kids grouped together, that's ok, I can get behind that as a parent who's travelled many times with young kids. But they should be closest to the exits, not furthest away!

Load More Replies...
S
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Japan has women only train carriages. Great idea. A lot of men were not raised well.

Bryn
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a crying baby and a man creeping on you are not the same.

tori Ohno
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad that we have to do this in 2024. If men would simply police each other when this happens, it would stop, because obviously society as a whole isn't going to stop boys from learning to be bad men.

Jenny Barnes
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Japan has had woman only train cars for years and years. Men just can't seem to keep their hands to themselves.

Anthony Picco
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHY did it take so long? YEARS ago we had separate train cars for men and women

Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is terrific. Those who have never been to India should know that gender separation occurs in many areas of society in India already. There are "ladies only" cars on most Indian trains. Ticketing windows are gender separated. Etc. So I am actually surprised that this was not a feature from the beginning. . . . When this planet is a safe place for women and girls, safe from sexual assault, then this type of thing will be extraneous. Until then, I wonder why this hasn't been an option everywhere all along for women?

Katiekat
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a start, but the real problem is men being jerks and entitled a*shats, thinking they can grope and assault women. Not all snakes... SIGH.

Thatkamloopsguy
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have said this before, aircraft makers need to put in an airlock on one door of the plane. If you get out of line then you get put in the airlock. then the second door gets opened. Start flapping.

Shadow
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a retired female Martial Arts and self defense Instructor, frankly men who are inclined so, won't stop. But, in a crowded situation, like on a plane? . . If after saying NO, loudly, Then saying, SOMEONE please video this. . . . Belt the fool hard in wherever you need to, maybe they might think twice. A reason men prey on women is because they depend on us not defending ourselves. Yes, it would be lovely not to have to. But it would be lovely to win the lottery also. Learn self defense, how to use your voice and then do so.

Fergus Corgi
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worst offenders have it down to a science. Being in such close quarters makes it easy for them to claim their obvious grope was just an accidental brush of their arm or a slip of the hand. They know it is nearly impossible to prove even if they are accused but just to be safe they prefer to pray on women whose own culture will shame them if they speak up. The shame belongs to those who pray upon these women but it also belongs to those who perpetuate this antiquated culture of victim blaming/shaming.

PFD
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To have a way to indicate a preference for being seated by another woman, sure. Revealing the genders of other passengers... I'm not sure that's the best solution. Not least because of both trans men and trans women who are forced to continue using their assigned-at-birth genders in travel documents. Imagine being a trans man publicly outed because a woman freaks out that you're not the woman their seating plan said you are, for example.

Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure this is such a major issue in India, where trans folk have been accepted as part of society for about 2000 years. Indian women *invite* hijras to come sing and dance in their homes whenever they have children, for example, in order to make sure that the baby is blessed. . . . Just because there are "male " problems in a culture doesn't mean that the entire culture is queer phobic.

Load More Replies...
Quinny boy
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get why people are upset about this. If your not the problem it doesn't affect you. It's not gonna separate you from your partner or kid it's a option. No this is not the solution a better solution would be teaching our sons to respect women as much as we teach our daughters to be afraid and cautious of men. But this is faster and what we can do right now to try to keep people safe.

Themoonprincess
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In India we have seperate train compartments for women. Years ago, in my state, a woman was brutally raped by a vile man in such a compartment. They are at the very back of the train with no one guarding it. My family always tell me not to get in Ladies' compartments during night trips. How ironic.

Pink Princess
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There should be an option for requesting not to sit next to children or women as well. Some children are loud and disruptive and even though it's a lot less common, some men might not be comfortable sitting next to women either

Teresa Yeates
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would prefer to sit next to a woman just to avoid the man spreading. See how they like trying it on with other men.

Hoi-Polloi
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, men. No other group of people is so easy, safe, and fun to demonize based on the actions of a few.

Feathered Dinosaur
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2010s in a German regional train. I doze off and when I wake up find the stranger sitting next to me has put his hand on my thigh. I was so shocked I couldn't even speak, just jerked my leg away. He acted as if nothing has happened. Yes, that's why I totally would book such a seat. And it's not just happening in India or Japan

Robert Benson
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A better solution... Have an airlock on the plane. If a man gets 2 complaints ... he goes out of the airlock. Problem solved :) Men need to do better. And call out other men when they behave badly. Silently accepting is just as bad as actively approving of bad behavior.

Melany Van Every
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The men throwing fits about it are probably the reason women need this. Keep your hands to yourself!

DustBunny
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Men not wanting to sit next to kids SHUT UP men are 50% responsible for the existence of those kids (and they can bloody well manage their own kids on a flight— why is it always moms stuck with this?). They are 100% responsible for women being harassed by men. Those aren’t comparable.

Julia E Lester
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this - and it doesn't solve the problem but I can tell you if I was in my 20s again I would have used this option in a heartbeat. Good on you Air India!

LaserBrain
Community Member
4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice idea, why nit? I certainly don't blame anyone for liking it

Maim
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But then can a man then choose to sit next to a woman? Or do women only get to "see" who is next to them? Great idea, I see a lot of loopholes.

sheikyerbouti
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea. While we're at it, can I request not to be seated next to a gay man? You never know what he might try after I doze off.

Eric Goss
Community Member
3 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Definitely a Human
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While a good idea at its core, I can just see men missing this policy by claiming to be trans, or trans women being targeted because they're not "real" women

censorshipsucks
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

reminds me of the whole el al hassidic thing where the men refuse to sit next to women...!

Maartje
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With all the harassment I have ever endured I have never been accosted on an airplane. However, I understand there is a cultural aspect and that Indian women get felt up and harassed a lot. I heartily approve of this measure but yes, it is a bandaid and it does not fix the problem at hand, nor can you expect it to. This will take lifetimes of nationwide re-education, preventative measures and harsher punishment for offenders. Even living in a western country with better protections, misogyny and harassment still continue so do not expect to see improvement any time soon in India. Instead, do what you can to prevent it and that is exactly what IndiGo is doing.

jbee02
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unites States gets a lot s#%t for all the problem we have but as far as i know this aint one of them

Monosyllabicgirl
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a woman I'm fine with getting seated next to a man, as should we all. Absolute insanity, this. But can I get seated away from entitled asshat kids and adults?

Kris Wu Yifan
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooooooh you're such a COOL GIRL! I bet all your friends are males and they all think you're SO COOL! 🙄🙄🙄

Load More Replies...
Ronald Robin
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well... If women can choose to sit with just women, then men should be able to choose to sit next to men.

Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By all means please and go ahead. Make it even easier and more comfortable for women.

Load More Replies...
KatSaidWhat
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check out men being riled by this.. meanwhile SA in India amongst worst in world and women have jailed for the audacity of being raeped.

Atom Bohr
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And the comparison of a crying child. I'm reminded so often of the phrase "men worry a bad date will leave them unhappy or humiliated; women worry a bad date will leave them dead". A lot of men just don't get that women aren't just talking about convenience or comfort, but safety.

Load More Replies...
Maartje
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should be higher even though it will not prevent all predation, since with some people being a predator seems to be built in.

Load More Replies...
Guess Undheit
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aaaaaaaand where's the problem? There are many cities around the world that have women only subway and metro cars because perverted cisgender heterosexual males can't keep their hands to themselves. Males are the problem, not the "victim".

Maartje
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was assaulted in a subway station in London. A lady who saw it happen suggested I report it at the station where I got off. I followed her advice. The man I reported it to ( and Indian, coincidentally) ASKED ME OUT. No, I was not wearing anything provocative, I was wearing overalls, of all things (for those of you who cannot help but think that). I considered reporting him but I gave up.

Load More Replies...
JB
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does it say about society or culture that the solution is to have women choose to avoid men?

Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it says that men haven't solved a very basic problem among their own gender that women have been dealing with for tens of thousands of years. And we are f**k8ng sick of it!

Load More Replies...
Bailey
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Personally, I don't think this is a positive, and not about protecting women. If they really cared, they would have a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behaviour and create an environment where women felt safe speaking up if anything happened. Stuff like this puts the onus on woman to pay extra to be safe, and if anything does happen, then they can blame her for not taking that option if she was concerned. It's not that far a leap from this to societies where the thinking is women "should" be kept separate from unknown men for their own safety, and need a man to run their lives and protect them .

Joey Jo Jo Shabadoo
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Travelling in India, I had the men sitting beside me on planes take pictures of me. Sometimes surreptitiously, but often just straight up camera up with flash. I turned down requests for selfies (wtf?), but the constant picture taking was bizarre and creepy. I would have LOVED this option.

Load More Replies...
FreeTheUnicorn
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is fantastic. Now if all the airlines could be like Alaska Air and put parties with kids after row 35, that will solve half the remaining problems.

PFD
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you want to have parties with kids grouped together, that's ok, I can get behind that as a parent who's travelled many times with young kids. But they should be closest to the exits, not furthest away!

Load More Replies...
S
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Japan has women only train carriages. Great idea. A lot of men were not raised well.

Bryn
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a crying baby and a man creeping on you are not the same.

tori Ohno
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad that we have to do this in 2024. If men would simply police each other when this happens, it would stop, because obviously society as a whole isn't going to stop boys from learning to be bad men.

Jenny Barnes
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Japan has had woman only train cars for years and years. Men just can't seem to keep their hands to themselves.

Anthony Picco
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHY did it take so long? YEARS ago we had separate train cars for men and women

Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is terrific. Those who have never been to India should know that gender separation occurs in many areas of society in India already. There are "ladies only" cars on most Indian trains. Ticketing windows are gender separated. Etc. So I am actually surprised that this was not a feature from the beginning. . . . When this planet is a safe place for women and girls, safe from sexual assault, then this type of thing will be extraneous. Until then, I wonder why this hasn't been an option everywhere all along for women?

Katiekat
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a start, but the real problem is men being jerks and entitled a*shats, thinking they can grope and assault women. Not all snakes... SIGH.

Thatkamloopsguy
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have said this before, aircraft makers need to put in an airlock on one door of the plane. If you get out of line then you get put in the airlock. then the second door gets opened. Start flapping.

Shadow
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a retired female Martial Arts and self defense Instructor, frankly men who are inclined so, won't stop. But, in a crowded situation, like on a plane? . . If after saying NO, loudly, Then saying, SOMEONE please video this. . . . Belt the fool hard in wherever you need to, maybe they might think twice. A reason men prey on women is because they depend on us not defending ourselves. Yes, it would be lovely not to have to. But it would be lovely to win the lottery also. Learn self defense, how to use your voice and then do so.

Fergus Corgi
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The worst offenders have it down to a science. Being in such close quarters makes it easy for them to claim their obvious grope was just an accidental brush of their arm or a slip of the hand. They know it is nearly impossible to prove even if they are accused but just to be safe they prefer to pray on women whose own culture will shame them if they speak up. The shame belongs to those who pray upon these women but it also belongs to those who perpetuate this antiquated culture of victim blaming/shaming.

PFD
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To have a way to indicate a preference for being seated by another woman, sure. Revealing the genders of other passengers... I'm not sure that's the best solution. Not least because of both trans men and trans women who are forced to continue using their assigned-at-birth genders in travel documents. Imagine being a trans man publicly outed because a woman freaks out that you're not the woman their seating plan said you are, for example.

Lyone Fein
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure this is such a major issue in India, where trans folk have been accepted as part of society for about 2000 years. Indian women *invite* hijras to come sing and dance in their homes whenever they have children, for example, in order to make sure that the baby is blessed. . . . Just because there are "male " problems in a culture doesn't mean that the entire culture is queer phobic.

Load More Replies...
Quinny boy
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get why people are upset about this. If your not the problem it doesn't affect you. It's not gonna separate you from your partner or kid it's a option. No this is not the solution a better solution would be teaching our sons to respect women as much as we teach our daughters to be afraid and cautious of men. But this is faster and what we can do right now to try to keep people safe.

Themoonprincess
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In India we have seperate train compartments for women. Years ago, in my state, a woman was brutally raped by a vile man in such a compartment. They are at the very back of the train with no one guarding it. My family always tell me not to get in Ladies' compartments during night trips. How ironic.

Pink Princess
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There should be an option for requesting not to sit next to children or women as well. Some children are loud and disruptive and even though it's a lot less common, some men might not be comfortable sitting next to women either

Teresa Yeates
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would prefer to sit next to a woman just to avoid the man spreading. See how they like trying it on with other men.

Hoi-Polloi
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, men. No other group of people is so easy, safe, and fun to demonize based on the actions of a few.

Feathered Dinosaur
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2010s in a German regional train. I doze off and when I wake up find the stranger sitting next to me has put his hand on my thigh. I was so shocked I couldn't even speak, just jerked my leg away. He acted as if nothing has happened. Yes, that's why I totally would book such a seat. And it's not just happening in India or Japan

Robert Benson
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A better solution... Have an airlock on the plane. If a man gets 2 complaints ... he goes out of the airlock. Problem solved :) Men need to do better. And call out other men when they behave badly. Silently accepting is just as bad as actively approving of bad behavior.

Melany Van Every
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The men throwing fits about it are probably the reason women need this. Keep your hands to yourself!

DustBunny
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Men not wanting to sit next to kids SHUT UP men are 50% responsible for the existence of those kids (and they can bloody well manage their own kids on a flight— why is it always moms stuck with this?). They are 100% responsible for women being harassed by men. Those aren’t comparable.

Julia E Lester
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this - and it doesn't solve the problem but I can tell you if I was in my 20s again I would have used this option in a heartbeat. Good on you Air India!

LaserBrain
Community Member
4 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nice idea, why nit? I certainly don't blame anyone for liking it

Maim
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But then can a man then choose to sit next to a woman? Or do women only get to "see" who is next to them? Great idea, I see a lot of loopholes.

sheikyerbouti
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea. While we're at it, can I request not to be seated next to a gay man? You never know what he might try after I doze off.

Eric Goss
Community Member
3 months ago

This comment has been deleted.

Definitely a Human
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While a good idea at its core, I can just see men missing this policy by claiming to be trans, or trans women being targeted because they're not "real" women

censorshipsucks
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

reminds me of the whole el al hassidic thing where the men refuse to sit next to women...!

Maartje
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With all the harassment I have ever endured I have never been accosted on an airplane. However, I understand there is a cultural aspect and that Indian women get felt up and harassed a lot. I heartily approve of this measure but yes, it is a bandaid and it does not fix the problem at hand, nor can you expect it to. This will take lifetimes of nationwide re-education, preventative measures and harsher punishment for offenders. Even living in a western country with better protections, misogyny and harassment still continue so do not expect to see improvement any time soon in India. Instead, do what you can to prevent it and that is exactly what IndiGo is doing.

jbee02
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unites States gets a lot s#%t for all the problem we have but as far as i know this aint one of them

Monosyllabicgirl
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a woman I'm fine with getting seated next to a man, as should we all. Absolute insanity, this. But can I get seated away from entitled asshat kids and adults?

Kris Wu Yifan
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooooooh you're such a COOL GIRL! I bet all your friends are males and they all think you're SO COOL! 🙄🙄🙄

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Ronald Robin
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well... If women can choose to sit with just women, then men should be able to choose to sit next to men.

Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
4 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

By all means please and go ahead. Make it even easier and more comfortable for women.

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