The next time you depart New York for an overseas destination—or fly home through John F. Kennedy International Airport—you may notice a quiet change at check-in. Airlines have begun overriding the gender-neutral “X” marker that appears on some U.S. passports and replacing it with either “M” or “F” before transmitting your details to federal authorities. The shift, which applies to all international flights entering or leaving the United States, stems from a Department of Homeland Security data-collection rule that recently took effect in New York and every other gateway city.
Why airlines are changing the gender marker
The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) requires carriers to send basic biographic information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before a traveler arrives or departs. On July 14, CBP updated that system so it accepts only the traditional “M” or “F” entries in the gender field. A 90-day grace period allowed airlines to keep transmitting “X,” but that window closed in October. In a statement, the agency said the update is “a data-collection change and does not affect passengers’ ability to fly.” The new process is mandatory for all commercial airlines that operate scheduled or charter flights across U.S. borders. Domestic itineraries are not affected.
What if your passport still displays an “X”?
The State Department first offered the “X” gender-neutral option in 2022 to recognize non-binary, intersex and gender-nonconforming citizens. Passports that already bear that marker remain valid until their printed expiration date, the department confirmed in an Oct. 20 statement. However, when you hand that passport to an airline agent or upload it to a mobile app, the carrier must now choose either “M” or “F” before sending your record to CBP. “If the travel document presented by a traveller for an international flight … has a sex indicator other than ‘M’ or ‘F’ … the carrier or the traveller should select either ‘M’ or ‘F’,” CBP noted on its public guidance page.
Does the rule contradict U.S. passport policy?
The passport program still offers three gender options, but APIS now recognizes only two. The tension traces back to Executive Order 14168, issued during the final days of the Trump administration in January, which instructed federal agencies to rely on birth-certificate sex for official documents whenever feasible. CBP’s July update aligns passenger data with that directive; the State Department’s inclusive passport policy remains unchanged. What happens when a current “X” passport expires is unclear. The State Department has not ruled out continuing the marker, but airlines will be unable to transmit it under present APIS specifications.
How the change affects your airport routine
For most travelers, the update is invisible. You can still use the “X” passport at security checkpoints and border control booths because Transportation Security Administration officers and CBP agents examine the document directly. The only difference comes earlier—when you or the airline populate the electronic fields that authorities review in advance. Check-in kiosks, mobile apps and human agents will prompt you to pick “M” or “F” if your machine-readable zone indicates “X.” That override is strictly for data transmission; it does not alter the physical passport, and carriers are prohibited from charging fees or refusing boarding on the basis of the override alone.
Tips for travelers navigating the new gender-marker rule
- Arrive a few minutes early for international check-in at New York airports. Some airline agents are still learning the new protocol and may need supervisor approval to finalize your record.
- If you self-check online, select the gender option that matches the ticket you originally purchased. Consistency minimizes the chance of a boarding-pass reprint at the gate.
- Carry a digital or paper copy of CBP’s public guidance in case an agent is unfamiliar with the override process.
- Remember that domestic flights are exempt. You can still fly within the United States using an “X” driver’s license or passport without alteration.
- When renewing your passport, weigh the potential inconvenience abroad. The State Department continues to offer the “X” marker, but foreign immigration systems may not recognize it.
Airlines’ operational response
Carrier technology teams rushed to update reservation systems during the 90-day grace period, according to industry officials. Most now auto-convert “X” to “U” (unspecified) internally, mapping that placeholder to “M” in APIS to satisfy the binary field requirement. Others ask agents to select the entry manually. No carrier has reported flight delays linked to the change. Hawaiian Airlines confirmed that its mobile app pushes an “M” toggle if a traveler’s passport lists “X,” while JetBlue said its kiosks at JFK and LaGuardia include an onscreen explanation. Both airlines said they have issued employee training memos.
Broader implications for global travelers
The United States is not alone in limiting advance passenger data to two gender values. Many European Union states, Canada and Australia follow similar binary-only schemes for API transmission, even though their passport agencies offer additional markers. Advocates argue that harmonizing travel-document standards should not come at the expense of gender-diverse passengers’ dignity, especially as more countries adopt legal recognition of non-binary identities.
Traveler voices
Non-binary New Yorker Alex Rivera, who holds an “X” passport, said at JFK that their recent flight to Mexico “was smooth at security, but the airline kiosk forced me to click male.” Rivera added that they worry about possible confusion on future trips. Legal experts expect the issue to reach federal courts if travelers claim discrimination. For now, the requirement stands, and travelers must comply to avoid boarding denials or re-routing.
FAQ: Understanding the APIS gender requirement
Which flights are affected?
All international departures from and arrivals to the United States.
Does the rule apply to connecting flights abroad?
Only the segments that cross U.S. borders; carriers elsewhere follow their own rules.
Can I leave the gender field blank?
No. APIS rejects files without “M” or “F.”
Will my Global Entry profile change?
CBP has not announced updates to Trusted Traveler databases.
Is there a fee for updating my ticket?
No. Airlines may not charge for the mandatory override.
Looking ahead
Travelers departing from New York and other major U.S. hubs should expect the override to remain in place until federal databases can accommodate additional gender values—or until policy makers codify a uniform approach. For now, the best strategy is preparation: verify your reservation details, allow extra time at check-in and carry documentation that explains the rule. The skies remain open, but the data behind every boarding pass has returned, at least temporarily, to a binary world.
— as Customs and Border Protection noted on its website.
