American Airlines AA.com/women for Women’s Travel Market

American Airlines recently launched a new section of its website, www.AA.com/women, which is designed for the airlines female passengers. This move make the airline the first in the industry to “introduce a convenient online resource specifically designed for its female customers.” As a woman, I still don’t understand what the hype is all about in this area. I did post a while back about a free safety guide for women travelers, but I’ve never understood why such a distinction should be made. Okay, there may be a few more safety concerns, but be smart and don’t walk down the dark alley at night. Other than that, I think it is discriminating to assume women need special resources when planning travel. Especially business travel. If you are in any sort of male dominated field, such as manufacturing, my former job, then you deal with gender differentiation enough. The travel part of the job was always the part that didn’t make me INCREDIBLY aware that I was working in that industry.

According to the press release, “American Airlines recognizes the growing women’s market and is intent on tapping its potential for improving the customer experience for all passengers.” Where exactly did they think we’ve been for the last 80 years of aviation history? I have never noticed any fewer female than male passengers on flights, but I guess we’re considered a minority in the air.

Here is the deal:

American estimates that if the company is able to raise the number of women traveling on the airline by 2 percent (at $100 per segment) as a result of AA.com/women and its emphasis on women travelers, the airline would garner an additional $94 million in revenue annually while providing additional value and travel information to female customers at no extra cost to them.

So, American cares about the opinions and travel experiences of women, as long as it helps their bottom line. I’m normally a big fan of this airline, but this puts them about par with Northwest in my book. The section includes content includes information on safety and security; saving time and money while traveling; traveling with friends, family or partners; and stories and advice from other women travelers. Yep, those all sound like issues men never have.

To commemorate the launch of AA.com/women, AAdvantage(R) Travel Awards program participant Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is offering a 20 percent discount and special spa offers designed with women in mind through Dec. 31, 2007 on reservations made through AA.com/women. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is known for its long standing commitment to female travelers through its pioneering WOMEN ON THEIR WAY(R) program which has enhanced the hotel experience by listening to female guests.

All over the discount, that is always great news. But the reason comments such as these make me so angry is that they imply the companies have just recently decided it would be worth their while to listen to their women customers. How would I NOT find that offensive? The implication is that our input has been ignored up to this time, which makes me wonder why so many women went to such trouble to do the womens rights things they did in the past. I don’t want to do womens rights things. My Mom’s generation was supposed to have that all squared away in the 60’s. So why am I, in 2007, having to read a press release about what great news it is that American has decided my opinion finally counts?