'Women are over it!': Julia Morris makes a bizarre request for Aussie airlines

You know that feeling when you're settling into your airline seat, hoping for a pleasant journey, only to find yourself uncomfortably close to a stranger who doesn't seem to understand boundaries?

Well, Australian comedian and TV host Julia Morris has had enough, and she's taking her concerns straight to the top.

The presenter recently called on Australian airlines to introduce a new way of travelling after declaring that she's fed up with men asking her to climb over them on flights.

The incident that sparked her plea

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'Please consider a women-only section on your planes,' Julia said, tagging Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar directly in her social media post.

Morris didn't mince words about her concerns. 'We don't feel safe with men telling us to crawl over them on flights, while they ignore women's personal space.'

'Give us the back section. Or at least a few rows of female-only seats.'

'Stand up to creeps on flights. Women are OVER IT,' she declared.

The proposal came after Morris and her teenage daughters had an unpleasant encounter with what she described as a 'creep' on a recent flight.

The experience made her realise how unusual it is to be forced into such proximity with unknown men, particularly in situations where you can 'feel their skin on mine'.

A chorus of support

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The idea sparked hundreds of comments from women online, with the majority throwing their full support behind the suggestion.

A flight attendant of 34 years chimed in, saying she 'couldn't agree more' with the suggestion. Others also shared their horror stories of when male passengers wouldn't get up out of their seats—even in extreme situations.

One alarming account came from a woman who had been feeling unwell on a Virgin flight last June. 'The guy on the aisle refused to get out of his seat... that moment still haunts me.'

However, the response wasn't universally positive.

Radio host Tom Elliott questioned the move. 'There's a lot of people out there who can't even define what a woman is these days. Is this really what we want?' the 3AW Mornings host asked.

What airlines are already doing about passenger comfort

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Interestingly, Virgin Australia recently launched a service that might address some of these concerns, albeit from a different angle.

In September 2025, the airline introduced 'Neighbour-Free Seating,' allowing eligible Economy passengers to bid for keeping the seat next to them empty.

While this service isn't specifically gender-focused, it does acknowledge that passengers value personal space and comfort during flights.

International precedents show it's possible

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Morris's proposal isn't without precedent internationally.

India's largest airline, IndiGo, already allows women to book seats next to other women rather than men. Meanwhile, Air India has provided women-only rows since 2017, which it refers to as 'gender-sensitive' seating.

These implementations show that major international carriers have recognised the need for such arrangements and found practical ways to implement them.

The debate continues

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University of Melbourne Associate Professor Dr Lauren Rosewarne from the School of Social and Political Sciences has weighed into the discussion. However, her specific views weren't detailed in the available coverage.

The conversation has clearly struck a nerve, with women sharing stories that range from uncomfortable to genuinely frightening.

Some passengers have suggested expanding the concept to include women-only bathrooms and addressing issues like men monopolising armrests and legroom.

What this could mean for Australian travellers

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The optional nature Morris suggested means it wouldn't affect those who prefer mixed seating.

The proposal also raised practical questions: How would airlines manage booking systems? Would there be additional costs? How would they handle group bookings with mixed genders?

While Morris tagged Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar in her call for action, none of the major Australian carriers have announced plans to introduce gender-specific rows yet.

The conversation highlighted a broader issue around passenger comfort and safety that airlines may need to address as travel returns in full swing.

Whether Australian airlines will take up Morris's challenge remains to be seen.

What are your thoughts on women-only airline sections? Have you experienced uncomfortable situations while flying that could have been avoided with better seating arrangements? Share your travel experiences and opinions in the comments below.