IndiGo Airline has done the unthinkable. India's low-budget carrier has become the first ever airline to allow female passengers to choose whether or not they would like to sit next to a man in-flight.

Flying as it stands is already a loaded experience – being packed into an airtight space for an extended period of time is unpleasant enough without running the risk of having to share it with a man who might make you feel uncomfortable. I think we've all been there.

From as early as August 2024, IndiGo Flights will provide the option to all female passengers to make gender-based selections.

This revolutionary change will take place online during the check-in process. All women boarding will have the chance to make their selections based on the genders sitting adjacent to them, whereas men will only be able to see the seats available and not the gender of the passengers. The revolutionary process will push for further safety measures and regulate protocol for women to feel safe in public spaces.

Take-off, and landing. We're there.

Why have they done this?

Jocular musings about manspreading aside, there is a reason why this shift in policy is an important one. In the last decade, incidents of sex-related crimes and offences occurring on commerical airlines have risen in media reports. The nature of cohabitating a cramped space also leaves women at-risk of physical advances. Criminal and physical conduct is also harder yet to distinguish via aviation laws, making the reporting of these incidences more difficult.

The safety of women should be a high priority on all airlines. Along with the protection of other marginalised or diverse minorities prone to violence and discrimination, flying must be a safe experience for all. In India, women-only carriages on trains and other methods of public transportation are already an option that exists. Rolling out the same option on our own shores would also be a necessary stance against the ongoing femicide. Companies doing their part to normalise the protection of women in Australia is necessary – half a million Australian women reported instances of sexual harassment in 2022. It is imperative for us to do better in matters of safe spaces, and the airplane cabin is no different.

Australian airlines, we're looking at you to follow suit.