Vistara promises no middle seat for female solo flyers
Indian carrier Vistara has made a pledge to woman flying solo: you won’t be stuck in the middle.
Single female travellers won’t be given the dreaded middle seat, as part of its complementary Woman Flyer service.
In addition to preferred window and aisle seats, women will get assistance with baggage and escorted to ground transportation, such as airport-authorised taxis if requested.
"This service is a sincere effort to ensure peace of mind of our women customers," said Sanjiv Kapoor, Vistara’s chief strategy and commercial officer.
The airline says the free service is being used by up to 100 women a day.
Vistara is the first airline to offer such a service and launched it after noting the frequency of women travelling alone asking for assistance on arrival across its network, Kapoor said.
Seat assignment and assistance is guaranteed for women booking the service at least 72 hours before departure.
India has taken a battering in recent years after a serious of high profile cases involving harassment and violence against female tourists in some cases involving sexual assault and gang rape.
Travel advisories have been issued by many countries including the US and the UK.
The UK’s Foreign Office says British women have been victims of sexual assault in Goa, Delhi, Bangalore and Rajasthan.
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