'I identify as a suitcase': Passengers misinterpret United Airlines' non-binary gender options

Welcome aboard, Mx... United announced the move to its 1.2million twitter followers. Photo / Twitter

The first airline in the world to allow passengers to identify their gender as other than 'male' or 'female' has been mocked by vicious tweets.

Last week the US's United Airlines posted a link to its 1.2 million Twitter followers inviting them to "Fly how you identify."

Fly how you identify. Our new non-binary gender options are now available.

— United Airlines (@united) March 22, 2019

With a check mark beside the third, unspecified Mx – the airline said by welcoming passengers that identified as 'other' was one of the ways they "continue to lead in inclusivity."

Yet the vagueness of the airline's new statement on identity was soon at the butt of a 16000 tweet long joke.

"This is beautiful United! So Woke!" mocked user totalchaosx80.

"I identify as someone that should be flying first class, while only paying basic economy prices," wrote one twitter user.

Another said they identified as a suitcase, and insisted they flew for free.

I identify as someone that should be flying first class.....while only paying basic economy prices👍🏻

— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) March 23, 2019

Others purposefully misunderstood the MX to be an abbreviation of Mexican.

"I too identify as a Mexican" wrote @MartinBass200 – pointing out that '.mx' is the domain address for websites registered in the country.

I identify as a suitcase. Can I fly for free now?

— Westen (@epicgeezr) March 22, 2019

For @legallycam225 said the airline had more important issues to fix before playing identity politics, telling United to "stop shrinking the seats and space to only fit 8 year olds."

Meanwhile some users welcomed the move.

"I love this invention," wrote @Lucas_Laura16. "Hope many companys [sic] follow."

Alright united.... way to step up....@Delta your turn👀

— Peppermint (@Peppermint247) March 25, 2019

Celebrity Drag Queen @Peppermint247 piled in to twitter storm and congratulated the airline saying it was now the turn of other airlines to follow.

United's chive consumer officer, Toby Enqvist said "United is determined to lead the industry in LGBT inclusivity, and we are so proud to be the first U.S. airline to offer these inclusive booking options for our customers.

"United is excited to share with our customers, whether they identify along the binary of male or female or not, that we are taking the steps to exhibit our care for them while also providing additional employee training to make us even more welcoming for all customers and employees."

While the move was mocked online, others defended it as brave and an important step to challenge social norms.

According to the United Nations statistics 1.7 per cent of people were designated as 'intersex' with neither male nor female traits.

According to the Daily Mail, 10 per cent of adults in the US identify as LBGT+, with even more among the younger millennial groups.

Many see large companies like airlines have an important role to play in adapting to new demographics.

👏👏👏👏 good job united! (And idk why people this doesnt affect are so bothered by it. Why are you bothered by other people's flight experiences being made better?)

— Love, Lacey 💫 (@ouiouiskam) March 22, 2019

Air New Zealand told Herald Travel that it was "currently exploring how we can introduce non-binary gender options across our various digital environments."

Currently New Zealand citizens already have the option to identify as indeterminate/unspecified on passports and travel documents, but airlines have to extend this title.