Ryanair buckles: No verdict in dispute over gender-neutral form of address

Airline waives judgment - non-binary person sets an example

The flight has been canceled - at least legally: the Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has reached an out-of-court settlement in a dispute with a non-binary person. This means that the planned decision by the Berlin Regional Court is no longer necessary. This is despite the fact that the case had the potential to create a new legal basis for gender-neutral forms of address.

What exactly is in the agreement remains a secret. But experience shows that money flows in such cases - and the problem is quietly eliminated. But there is still visibility: once again, a major player has been forced to seriously address the issue of gender diversity.

"Herr", "Frau", "Fräulein" - and what else?

The specific trigger for the proceedings: In the fall of 2021, René Hornstein wanted to book a ticket with Ryanair - and only found the options "Mr.", "Ms." and (it's hard to believe) "Miss" in the selection menu. No trace of "diverse", "Mx." or a neutral form of address.

Hornstein, a founding member of the Federal Trans* Association, felt discriminated against. After all, anyone who is neither a man nor a woman is inevitably pushed into the wrong category. According to the argument, this violates personal rights and breaches the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). The claim was for 5000 euros in compensation - a clear signal that was intended to achieve more than just a technical correction.

The railroad has had to serve detention before

This dispute is not entirely new: Hornstein had already won against Deutsche Bahn in 2022. At the time, the Frankfurt (Main) Higher Regional Court awarded 1,000 euros in damages - and obliged Deutsche Bahn to introduce a gender-neutral option in its booking systems. A clear precedent that put Ryanair under pressure. However, instead of collecting another judgment, the airline has now apparently decided to quietly withdraw.

However, this also means that there is no new landmark ruling - and therefore no legal impetus for similar cases.

Ruling would have sent a signal

It is regrettable that Ryanair did not opt for a judgment. Because the legal dispute would have sent a strong signal - not just for airlines, but for all companies with digital services. Anyone still working with "Mr." and "Mrs." in 2025 has not understood the digital age - and not the social one anyway.

However, the decision to reach an agreement also shows that public pressure is having an effect. Companies do not want to make a fool of themselves - and would rather pay than risk a judgment. This is practical for those affected, but problematic for the courts.

If you want to fly in a globalized world, you shouldn't fall halfway back into old role models. Gender-neutral forms of address are not a "woke trend", but a human right. And companies have known this since this case at the latest: Those who don't upgrade here will sooner or later be turned away at the gate - legally speaking.