A nonbinary passenger is suing Ireland-based European airline Ryanair for not offering gender-neutral titles for flight booking.

The unidentified customer was on the discount airline’s website booking a flight home from Gran Canaria to Germany in October 2021 when they were presented with only three options to identify their gender: Herr (Mr.), Frau (Mrs.), or Fräulein (Ms.).

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The customer decided to sue the airline in July 2023, alleging discrimination under Germany’s General Equal Treatment Act. They’re seeking $5,400 in damages and a commitment from Ryanair to amend the airline’s policy to include a gender-neutral title.

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The complaint was scheduled to be heard this week in Berlin, Germany state court after Ryanair refused to reach an out-of-court settlement. It’s unclear if the passenger flew Ryanair for their flight home.

In 2019, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued guidance urging airlines to offer nonbinary title options for flight bookings.

United Airlines was the first U.S. airline to add a nonbinary option, followed by British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, American Airlines, and Air New Zealand, among others. Passengers booking reservations with those airlines can now choose ‘Mx’ as a title and select gender markers, including an “X” (for unspecified) and “U” (for undisclosed).

In 2022, Virgin Atlantic tossed out their gendered uniform policy as part of a company-wide “Be Yourself” agenda. British Airways updated its policies to allow male crew members to wear make-up and carry handbags if they choose.

Lufthansa has swapped the traditional ‘ladies and gentlemen’ greeting on planes and gateside for gender-inclusive salutations like “Dear guests” and “Welcome aboard.”

In a press release accompanying their “Be Yourself” initiative, Virgin cited a study that found staff mental wellbeing increased 49% when they are allowed to embrace their individuality at work. It also found that staff happiness increases by 65% and customer experience improves by 24%.

Virgin Atlantic job applications doubled following its policy changes.

The U.S. State Department has stopped issuing passports that accurately reflect the gender identities of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, following the president’s “gender ideology executive order directing the federal government to recognize only two “immutable” sexes, male and female.

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