Controversy over IndiGo’s 'women-friendly' seats

IndiGo’s pilot project to introduce special ‘women friendly’ seats on their airlines has created a controversy of sorts specially on social media. What are these ‘woman friendly’ seats supposed to be? Indigo thinks it is giving the women segment of its passengers a value-added service by providing them the choice to pick seats that are next to women so that they are spared any kind of possible discomfort if they were sitting next to men. This has led to divided opinions both from women and men, with women being a large part of those who are vociferously against it!

Here are a few responses from social media that will reveal which way the responses are drifting:

• ‘I think it's retrograde. Male mindsets are the problem and no one is addressing that......!’

• ‘Absolutely. Token measures such as this change, nothing on the ground!’

• ‘I personally like the idea of having that choice.’

• ‘No doubt about that. I definitely like to make my own choice- whether to sit with a woman co-passenger or with anyone!’

• ‘I am also okay with this. I definitely prefer sitting next to a woman on a flight. The male mindset isn’t going to change overnight. I’d rather spend my couple of hours on the flight comfortably, without having to worry about my elbow touching someone’s next to me! And moreover, it’s an option, it hasn’t been made mandatory.’

• ‘Exactly. It’s a personal choice. To each her own.’ 

• ‘I try and avoid bawling kids. Which honestly there’s no way to avoid:)). I’m all for separate flights for parents with kids who bring the roof down!’

• ‘The plan has its plus and minus. There are obvious reasons why we would all like it but it could also be a case of signaling a default position of women not opting for it being available for nudging and groping. There are enough bull-headed desperados out there who would read it as such!’ 

• ‘I think it is a retrograde step as it is treating the problem, not the root of it which is patriarchal and objectifying of women! We need to demand equality every which way and a defaulter should be publicly shamed for it. Why should we cage (restrict) ourselves when it is the animals who need to be caged? Don’t you think it is like travelling in a metaphorical purdah?’ 

• ‘I agree. Just two bits from me. Firstly, any potential groper should be delivered a ringing punch/slap across his face as self defence. We are NOT delicate, and can do this. No need to get deluded that it is not ‘lady like’! Secondly, by opting for women co-seaters, we may get some cramped seats at the middle or the back, and I would rather have the choice of being in more comfortable seats.’

• ‘I think, a choice to have 2 hours of tension free time is easier, not preferable but easier.’

• ‘Speaking for myself, I agree it's a good move since I do a lot of solo travel, and altho’ I ensure I get the front row aisle/ window, it's really uncomfortable if a man sits on the next seat.  2 or more hours of hassle-free travel is so comforting! At the same time, very rarely, but it has happened, some very courteous boys/ men have been co passengers too!’

• I agree... The feeling of entitlement is visible during outings, dinner etc when a woman even though earning expects her male friend, spouse to take care of the bills... Not all women do it though!’

• ‘I feel the need is to encourage integration of women more seamlessly into the fabric of society where both the male and female of the same species are treated the same. Segregation is the problem. We cannot and must not, live in two separate worlds but share this space so that we can appreciate each others’ unique strengths and capabilities; support each others’ unique frailities. All this conflict is because women are stepping out of their segregated spaces to make a place for themselves in the larger world. I hope this is a stage of friction that will settle down.

• ‘This is what needs to be understood and internalized - a woman is the same species as a man… only then will there ever be empathy, sensitivity and pain for her!’

• We all know that societies which practice segregation have more crime and abuse rates. And also, the cynic in me suspects that such a gesture coming from Indigo could be a hidden ploy to charge extra for those seats!’

• ‘Personally, as long as I have a clean, no body-odours, and a person with whom I can strike a conversation, I’m fine. But if one is feels uncomfortable with the next  passenger especially male (the basic womanly instincts are never wrong), then the choice of change should be given.’

• ‘I think it's a very negative step, and will probably just be used to monetise seats.’

The jury is still out there as the raging controversy is still being debated! What do you think?

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