⚠️ Airline Systems, Not Passports, Changing: What “X” Gender Travelers Need to Know

Fast Facts

• Your “X” passport is still valid. The policy affects airline data systems, not your document itself.

• Expect possible disruptions when booking or checking in for international flights.

• Airlines may require you to select “M” or “F” when making reservations or entering the U.S.

• Domestic travel is not currently affected. The TSA’s Secure Flight system still accepts “X” gender markers on most U.S. IDs.

The Story

Beginning Sunday, October 12, 2025, the U.S. government will stop accepting “X” as a valid gender marker for passengers traveling to or from the United States. This change follows a 90-day transition period for airlines that began July 15.

The new rule stems from Executive Order 14168, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” signed on President Trump’s first day back in office.

Under this policy, the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS)—which all airlines use to share traveler data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—will begin rejecting any gender designation other than M (Male) or F (Female). That means that even if your valid U.S. passport lists your gender as X, airlines will be required to submit either “M” or “F” for you in order to obtain permission to board.

In practice, this means airline employees may have to guess your gender when transmitting passenger data, since the system will no longer accept “X.” This change creates a conflict between valid, federally issued identity documents and the federal travel-data system that verifies them. 

The U.S. State Department first introduced the “X” marker in 2022 to recognize non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people. Those passports remain legally valid, and a court order currently requires the government to continue issuing them to certain U.S. citizens while litigation continues.

However, beginning October 12, travelers using an “X” passport may face check-in problems, ticketing issues, or boarding delays when flying internationally. Airlines have been instructed that submitting “M” or “F” in place of the passport’s listed gender will not result in penalties—but it remains unclear how CBP or TSA will handle mismatched records at the airport.

What You Can Do

If you experience issues while booking, checking in, or traveling internationally with an “X” passport, Lambda Legal is collecting reports from affected travelers.

We Help Trans + Nonbinary Folks Navigate Name + Gender Marker Changes

Hey there! At Trans Law Help Wisconsin, Inc., we're all about making the process of changing your name and gender marker a little less daunting! We get how important it is to have your legal docs match who you are, and we're here to lend a hand.

Here's what we're all about:

1. Guidance Galore: We've got your back when it comes to the legal stuff. Our team knows the ins and outs of changing your name and gender marker, and our Quarterly Clinics and Change Guide walk you through it step by step.

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4. Speak Up: While our main goal is to help individuals, we’re also interested in shaping legal precedents that pave the way for fairer treatment and greater recognition of gender diversity.

At Trans Law Help Wisconsin, Inc., we're all about making sure each trans and nonbinary person can live as his/her/their true self, no questions asked. So, if you're ready to take those steps toward legal recognition, we're here to cheer you on and help you get there.

Join us in making the world a little brighter and a lot more inclusive for everyone.