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As the world of travel has transformed over the decades, there’s been a quiet revolution in solo female travel. Improved costs and increased accessibility, coupled with globalisation and enhanced safety, have led to an influx of women taking the admirable plunge and getting out into the world.
But this hasn’t all just happened by chance. It’s taken the focus and determination of female leaders around the world to think about airports and aviation from a woman’s perspective, whether that’s introducing breastfeeding pods or recruiting more female security staff to assist with female checks. In this piece, we’ll look at accessibility specifically and how it has evolved alongside solo female travel.
How Things Are Improving
Today, air travel has become significantly more accommodating for solo female travellers. Airports and airlines worldwide have introduced measures to enhance safety and comfort, ensuring women can journey alone with peace of mind.
Many airports now feature dedicated women-only facilities like breastfeeding rooms and family-friendly restrooms. These spaces provide privacy, safety, and a chance to relax away from crowded terminals.
The introduction of advanced airport security systems has also been pivotal in protecting travellers. Airports are making a concerted effort worldwide to hire more female security staff, offering reassurance and respecting cultural sensitivities for passengers who might feel uncomfortable during screenings.
All airlines now adhere to strict policies combating harassment and inappropriate behaviour on board, with cabin crew trained to handle such incidents discreetly and effectively. One airline has gone above and beyond by allowing solo female passengers to choose not to sit next to men when selecting seats.
Improving Accessibility for Everyone
The aviation industry has only recently begun to focus on improving services and accessibility for women with special requirements. For example, in 2024, the UK Civil Aviation Authority stated that “No UK airport has received a ‘poor’ rating for their accessibility performance over the last year…for the first time since 2020.” For women in particular, non-gendered bathrooms at airports like Heathrow and Birmingham ensure that trans passengers feel comfortable using the bathroom without judgement.
Despite these positives, the industry still has a long way to go to support all passengers equally. Australian Paralympian Karni Liddell has publicly expressed frustration at being denied boarding due to using a support aid with lithium batteries. Wheelchair users also consistently report finding their chairs damaged by airport staff or sometimes lost entirely.
So, while strides have been made in terms of increased accessibility for women generally, there are still areas where people with disabilities are unfairly mistreated or ignored by the aviation industry.
The Role of Technology in Increasing Accessibility
The rise of technology has revolutionised solo female travel by putting an array of navigational, planning, and safety tools right in the palm of your hand. Booking apps and reviewing sites ensure that you can trust every single place you stay, eat, and experience with the knowledge that other solo female travellers have had a positive experience.
Apps like TripIt and FlightAware allow travellers to track flight details and receive real-time updates. Additionally, safety-focused apps such as bSafe offer location-based alerts and emergency contact features. This means that even if you’re by yourself on the other side of the world, your loved ones know exactly where you are every step of the way.
Another thing that has transformed accessibility in air travel is social media. You can get real-time updates from airlines and airports, and even DM them if you have any accessibility queries before you travel. You’ll also find thousands of travel groups aimed at solo female travel so you’ve always got someone to speak to about anything travel-related.
Cultural Shifts and Changing Perceptions
It’s no surprise that the development and migration of progressive attitudes towards women have made solo female travel more accessible to more women. Now, solo travel is celebrated as a symbol of empowerment rather than risk or recklessness. In addition to this, women in Britain have access to better-paid jobs than in the past, giving us more financial independence and, in turn, more physical freedom. This economic freedom has empowered more women to save alone and travel using money earned in well-paid jobs.
There is also better female representation in the world of aviation. More female pilots, air traffic controllers, and airport owners mean that women are making decisions for women, as opposed to men acting without a full understanding of what women need.
Luxury Travel Options for Solo Female Travelers
This section loosely follows the last point in that women are gaining access to a world that seemed so far away just a few decades ago. With more feminist leaders, we’re closing the gender pay gap and getting into positions of power and prestige. This progress grants women access to private plane hire through work and leisure. Female CEOs are hiring private jets to fly to meetings and opting to travel in privacy and luxury when jetting off on holiday, too. Private jets were once associated with male billionaires and boozy corporate execs, but we are slowly but surely seeing a levelling of the playing field.
Solo female travellers can benefit from private travel as it lets you choose who you share your space with. It provides you with the assurance that you have total freedom and allows you to customise your journey from start to finish. You can set your schedule and choose your own departure time.
Empowering More Female Travellers Every Day
For women dreaming of the freedom to travel wherever, whenever, the skies are waiting. It’s a testament to how far air travel has come and how you can enjoy all the benefits of a more accessible world. Whether setting off on a solo adventure or looking for the best private jet to charter, the world is yours!
