Air Canada is reportedly planning to end a voucher transfer policy that critics have slammed as sexist.
Controversy erupted on Twitter Monday when author Chris Turner tweeted that Air Canada would not allow him to transfer a travel voucher to his wife because she does not have the same last name as him.
“Vouchers can only be transferred to another family member before travel if they have the same family name,” Air Canada responded to Turner on Twitter.
That resulted in a wave of public ridicule of what critics called an “archaic” policy. Turner joked that the policy is “deeply insulting” to “those of us who who are not married to June Cleaver.”
Turner and Sun Media are now saying Air Canada plans to end the controversial policy.
In an email to HuffPost, Air Canada said the policy “will no longer be an issue” because gift cards, which are fully transferable, are replacing travel vouchers.
Air Canada reportedly told Turner he could transfer the voucher to his wife, but only after the flight and after providing evidence he is married to the person receiving the voucher.
“If the person has the same last name the transfer can be done on the phone; if the last name is not the same, in order for us to verify their authenticity documents must be sent for a refund to avoid fraudulent use which unfortunately has occurred in the past,” Air Canada explained to HuffPost.