Jetstar adds gender ‘x’ to survey, putting inclusivity front and centre

By Alexandra Coulton


Jetstar’s customer satisfaction survey now includes “X” as an option, when asking passengers about their gender.

The budget airline seems to be following suit after parent company, Qantas, recently asked employees to stop using gender-specific words such as such as “honey”, “darling”, “guys”, and “love” to help staff members grow more aware of what might offend those around them.

Staff were told to use “partner” or “spouse” instead of “husband and wife”, and “parents” instead of “mum and dad” to avoid excluding LGBTI families.

“Manterruptions” are also to be avoided.

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The survey, according to The Australian, asked passengers about their recent flight experience, quizzing them about their age group, country of residence and gender, which offered “male”, “female”, “do not wish to say” and “X (Indeterminate/Intersex/Unspecified)”.

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As per the Australian, a Jetstar spokesperson said the questionnaire did not reflect the changes in the airline’s policy, but rather standards set by the federal government.

“This survey question follows specific standards set by the Australian government regarding gender, and is consistent with the census and passport applications,” the spokesperson said.

“Questions like this are standard across research surveys across Australia and are not unique to Jetstar.”

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