The airline has made the move in an effort to celebrate "diversity and inclusion". The company says the new ruling has been incorporated in order to respect wider social norms and make children feel included. A BA spokesman said: "We celebrate diversity and inclusion.

       "We are committed to ensuring that all our customers feel welcome when travelling with us."

       Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph founder of the advertising agency WPP Sir Martin Sorrell said: "Whether that's fortunate or unfortunate, it's a sign of the times."

       Other major airlines have already adopted gender-neutral language.

       This includes Lufthansa, EasyJet and Air Canada.

       READ MORE: 'They deserve it' Afghan families given furnished homes

       Japan Airlines began to use the new terminology last year.

       The company said they had employed the change in order to "create a positive atmosphere and treat everyone with respect".

       Delta Airlines have also started to use gender-neutral language.

       The US airline said they had made the change to create "a safe, comfortable and respectful space for all of our customers and employees".

       DON'T MISS

       EU plot to ‘rush through’ new migrant border rules [INSIGHT]

       EU migrant fury: Three states use illegal 'armies' to push refugees [REPORT]

       'Picked their side and lost!' Spain mocked over expat exodus [REACTION]

       In September Air Malta said it would also drop the use of "ladies and gentlemen" in favour of more inclusive language.

       The Air Malta executive chairperson David G. Curmi said: "For an airline with a multicultural clientele, inclusion is a very important value.

       "We want to express this attitude shift in our language as well."

       A gender-neutral person does not describe themselves or their gender as fitting into the categories of man or woman.

       There are now a range of terms are used to refer to gender-neutral people, such as nonbinary and genderqueer.

       However, the language of gender and identity that is acceptable now may change in the future.

       Western democracies have been locked in culture wars over gender pronouns in recent years.

       Issues of equality and acceptance of transgender and nonbinary people have become a major cause of contention.