IndiGo Airlines Introduces New Seat Selection Feature for Female Travelers to Enhance Safety

IndiGo Airlines, one of India’s leading carriers, has introduced a new seating option that allows female travelers to select seats next to other women. This initiative, part of the airline’s #GirlPower ethos, is currently available on a pilot basis for women checking in online, whether traveling solo or with family.

Founded in 2006, IndiGo operates over 2,000 daily flights both domestically and internationally. The airline stated that this feature is designed to make travel more comfortable and secure for female passengers. “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 a representative from IndiGo.

The decision to introduce this feature, although not explicitly stated by IndiGo, comes against a backdrop of frequent reports of assaults against women and children on commercial flights globally. In the United States, the FBI, which has jurisdiction over crimes aboard aircraft, opened 96 in-flight sexual assault cases in 2023 alone. These incidents typically involve unwanted touching, a felony offense that can result in significant prison time, with women and unaccompanied minors often being the victims.

IndiGo’s initiative has been generally welcomed as a proactive approach to enhancing safety and comfort for women travelers. As the feature rolls out, further details on its implementation and impact are anticipated. CNN has reached out to IndiGo for additional comments regarding the rollout and future plans for this feature.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, edition.cnn.com