Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic scraps rules on male and female uniforms so crew can ‘express their identity’
VIRGIN Atlantic has scrapped rules on male and female uniforms so crew can “express their identity”.
Richard Branson’s airline is also giving staff and passengers the option of having gender pronoun badges.
And it has changed its online booking system so customers can have a gender-neutral title.
Roughly ten countries - including the US, Australia, India and Pakistan - have passports with gender-netural markers, which are also now available on its online booking.
Under its previous “gendered uniform” rules, male crew had to wear burgundy suits and women wore the classic red skirts and jackets.
Female staff were first also issued with trousers as standard from 2019, when strict make-up rules were axed.
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In May, Virgin Atlantic became the first major global airline to allow staff to display tattoos.
Earlier this month Virgin Money staff were told they could add their chosen pronouns onto their work uniforms.
The airline’s chief commercial officer, Juha Jarvinen, said: “It’s so important we enable our people to embrace their individuality.
"It is for that reason that we want to allow our people to wear the uniform that best suits them and how they identify and ensure our customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns.
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Human rights organisation The Peter Tatchell Foundation said: “This is a positive, inclusive move. We hope other airlines will follow.”
Non-binary TikTok star Tyreece Nye was brought in to help model the skirt uniform. But one passenger commented: “Perhaps you could put as much effort into your customers’ happiness?"
