Airlines Add New Gender Option for Non-Binary Travelers

Just a few months ago, the major three airlines in the United States — Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines — only listed “male” and “female” as gender options, but airlines are finally coming around to adding a non-binary gender option to booking platforms.

The big three, as well as a few other airlines like Southwest and Alaska Airlines, now have a non-binary gender option for passengers to select when booking flights that include “unspecified” or “undisclosed,” as well as “male” or “female.” Airlines decided to enact this change when two trade groups laid out new best practices for passengers that use non-binary IDs for domestic travel (i.e., driver’s licenses with non-binary genders indicated).

Airlines for America and the International Air Transport Association represent airlines from all over the world and have committed to accounting for travelers who identify as non-binary. In doing so, the organizations also must abide by U.S. requirements for travelers that are enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration.

AFA initiated these changes in June, and now airlines are responsible for making these changes on their booking platforms.

United collaborated with the Human Rights Campaign to develop its guidelines and to ensure all customers feel safe and comfortable when flying with them, regardless of their self-identification. Not only will United passengers be able to choose from four new “gender” options, but they can also select “Mx.” as their title when completing their personal information.