A non-binary passenger is suing Ryanair for €5,000 in damages because the airline did not provide a gender-neutral title for a flight booking, writes Robert Folker.

The customer was using the Ryanair website to book a return ticket from Berlin to Gran Canaria in October 2021 when they realised there was no option to use a gender-neutral title.

The passenger was given the option to click on Herr (Mr), Frau (Mrs) or Fräulein (Miss), although it is not clear if they went ahead with the booking.

After Ryanair refused to reach an out-of-court settlement, the complaint will now be heard by the Berlin state court, the Times reports.

As well as paying out damages, the customer wants the airline to amend its booking platform to provide an option of a gender-neutral title.

In 2019, global aviation body the International Air Transport Association released guidance for airlines who want to offer nonbinary gender options for passengers.

That same year America’s United Airlines became the first US carrier to offer customers nonbinary gender options when booking flights.

Typical examples of non-binary markers could include an X for ‘unspecified’ or U for ‘undisclosed’ instead of male or female, and the gender-neutral title Mx instead of Mr or Mrs.

Since then other airlines have followed suit in giving gender-neutral options including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and Air New Zealand.

Virgin Atlantic allows staff the option to choose their own uniforms, including a trousers or skirt.

In 2022, British Airways relaxed rules around its uniform policy and went gender-neutral to allow male pilots and crew to wear make-up and carry handbags.

But its website does not let customers use the title ‘Mx’.

Ryanair was contacted for comment.