X marks non-binary gender booking option on Travelport

Travelport to offer new booking code for non-binary passengers

Travelport will roll out a new booking code for non-binary gender airline passengers beginning June 1.

The new code offers the option to choose “X”, rather than “M” or “F”, when a passenger is required to provide advance passenger information. For instance, such details need to be provided for customers travelling to or in transit to Algeria, Canada, China, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Syria, Thailand, the US and the UAE.

Travelport to offer new booking code for non-binary passengers

The option to choose “X” will need to be matched with the passenger’s passport or identity document. Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand, Nepal, the Netherlands and Pakistan already offer an option other than “M” or “F” on passports – in most cases “X”. X passports are approved by the ICAO, the UN agency that regulates international air travel.

Travelport has pledged to make the code available to all 480 airlines on its platform who choose to adopt it. Airlines such as American Airlines and Delta have already confirmed they are preparing to bring in the new code option, with others expected to follow.

Commenting on the introduction of the new code, Gordon Wilson, president and CEO of Travelport said: “We hope more airlines will provide this option to ensure their customers are fully respected and welcomed. For us ‘X’ marks a vote for diversity, dignity and respect.”

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