© AFP via Getty Images Lecturer Dr Andi Fugard blasted the airline for using the traditional greeting, claiming it reinforces gender boundaries

EasyJet has sparked a discussion after reportedly stopping cabin crew from greeting fliers as "ladies and gentleman".

Trans university lecturer Dr Andi Fugard blasted the airline on Twitter for using the traditional greeting, claiming it reinforces gender boundaries.

In response, company chiefs have "provided some guidance" to pilots and cabin crew which is more "inclusive and welcoming".



But some have branded the move as "ridiculous nonsense".

Dr Fugard's Twitter bio describes the lecturer as “disaster queer spinster” and “them fatale” with Easyjet quickly responding and promised to take the comments "on board".

And while the airline is insistent the changes are guidance and not a strict ban, a source has claimed anyone who ignores it "is very brave", reports the Sun Online .

© AFP via Getty Images EasyJet has been criticised for 'banning' cabin crew from using 'ladies and gentleman' greeting

Either way, the move has led to EasyJet starting a row online.

One critic said "give me a break" and "Get #woke, go broke" and another labelled it "ridiculous nonsense".

Dr Fugard, of Birkbeck University, in London, contacted EasyJet via Twitter in August asking if it was "in some kind of competition" as to how many times it could "reinforce gender binaries".

They told the airline to "ditch" sir and madam, adding: “An organisation as huge as yours must do better.”

Within 24 hours, EasyJet responded to Dr Fugard, assuring it would pass their concerns on to staff.

Yesterday a spokesman said: “We want our crew to be welcoming to everyone onboard and so have provided some guidance to them of how to best do that in a way that is inclusive for everyone.”

Pictures: The humble beginnings of the world's biggest businesses (lovemoney)



