Travelers appreciate Virgin Atlantic’s all-encompassing motivation as they call on the airline to lower fares

Virgin Atlantic today updated its uniform policy to remove gender-specific clothing requirements in a move that prompted passengers to criticize the airline for not focusing on price and the passenger experience. guest.

Staff including cabin crew and pilots will be able to choose what uniforms they wear: the company’s ‘red’ option, previously commonly worn by female flight attendants, or the ‘burgundy’ option, formerly worn by male flight attendants.

This includes allowing men to wear skirts and women to wear trousers, as well as increasing the uniform choices available to non-binary employees.

They are also introducing pronoun badges in an effort to allow employees to ‘wear a uniform that shows their true identity’.

The airline has partnered with RuPaul’s Drag Race star Michelle Visage in an effort to ‘reflect workforce diversity’ and ‘give everyone a flexible approach to red uniforms’ and burgundy, which means LGBTQ+ colleagues will be able to choose either red or burgundy uniforms, depending on which best reflects themselves. ‘

The company says the change makes it ‘the most inclusive airline in the sky’ and its employees are among those who have hailed the changes on social media.

However, reaction to the new policies has been mixed online, with some praising the company’s diverse attitude while others calling it a waste of time. Others have questioned why the company didn’t give its employees a raise instead or lower ticket prices.

One social media user said: ‘I bet most Virgin Atlantic employees would rather get a raise than this.’

Staff will be able to choose to wear either red or burgundy uniforms, with trousers also available for the red option

Virgin Atlantic Crew will now be able to choose what uniforms they wear, with an end to ‘gender’ clothing requirements

Michelle Visage, known for her role as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race, has partnered with Virgin and says her ‘job’ is to be an ally and friend of the LGBTQ+ community

The company says the move is intended to allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to choose a uniform that best represents them.

The company is also introducing optional pronoun badges, for both employees and customers

The company will also roll out optional pronoun badges that will allow employees and customers to display the pronouns they’d like to be featured on. The badges, available from today, can be requested upon check-in.

Virgin describes today’s announcement as part of an ‘ongoing effort to enhance the individuality of people and customers’, which includes allowing more customers to select ‘Mx’, ‘Mx’ markers,’ U’ or ‘X’ are gender neutral when booking their flight.

This option is available to all passport holders with ‘gender neutrality markers’ – including passport holders in countries such as the US, India and Pakistan, but not the UK. Great Britain.

Virgin is also introducing mandatory inclusion training for all its employees at Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays, as well as immersion learning for travel partners.

The latest changes to the company’s policy are part of the airline’s ‘Be Yourself’ campaign, earlier this year the airline became the first airline in the UK to allow employees to employees reveal their tattoos at work.

In 2019, Virgin Atlantic was one of the first major airlines to drop the requirement that female flight attendants wear makeup while on duty, as well as wear trousers instead of skirts.

Jaime Forsstroem, Cabin Crew at Virgin Atlantic said: ‘The updated gender identity policy is very important to me. As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself in the workplace and to have the right to choose what uniform I wear. ‘

Michelle Visage, Tanya Compas, Talulah-Eve and Tyreece Nye have teamed up with Virgin Atlantic to showcase the new policy in a stylized fashion shoot released today.

Tyreece Nye (pictured) describes the uniform changes as giving voice to everyone in the community: ‘This policy allows everyone to have a seat at the dining table’

Michelle Visage participates in Virgin Atlantic’s launch video about their new uniform policy

Jamie Forsstrom celebrates being able to wear the uniform that best suits them as a non-binary

Virgin Atlantic employees can also show off their tattoos to ‘encourage employees to be themselves’ and ‘personally champion’

Virgin Atlantic is the first UK airline to allow its flight attendants to show off arm tattoos while in uniform

Michelle Visage said: ‘As a mother of a non-binary child and an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, these efforts by Virgin Atlantic aim to bring greater inclusion to its people. is extremely important and personal to me.

‘People feel empowered when they wear what represents them best and this gender identity policy allows people to understand who they are and bring their full selves to work.’

In a campaign video for the airline, she added: ‘I want to support this campaign to make a change in this world.

‘I have a non-binary transgender child so for me, changing the world is the job of a mother, a friend and an ally.’

Tyreece Nye, a non-binary activist and performer who also joined the campaign, said: ‘This policy allows everyone to have a seat at the table. It doesn’t take away anyone, it just allows everyone in the community to have a say. ‘

First Officer Alison Porte added: ‘It’s not about canceling anyone.

‘It’s not about eliminating women or eliminating men. It’s just about more inclusive language. ‘

Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, ‘At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can rise to the top of the world, whoever they are.

‘That’s why it’s so important that we allow people to accept their individuality and be who they really are at work.

‘It’s for that reason that we want to allow people to wear the uniform that best suits them and how they identify and ensure our customers are met with their preferred pronouns.’

This policy has received mixed reviews online. Some praised the airline for its inclusiveness, describing the policy as ‘progressive’.

One social media user said: ‘Love this. Acceptance problem. ‘

But not all agree, with some brands calling the decision a ‘bad move’, with others adding that they will stick with other airlines.

Back in January, Virgin Atlantic opened applications to hire 400 new flight attendants.

Estelle Hollingsworth, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Human Resources Officer said at the time: ‘It’s the best job of getting people to fly and we couldn’t be more delighted to welcome so many new cabin crew members to vote. heaven with our recruitment.

‘We’re committed to supporting diversity both on the ground and on board, so we’re looking for people from all backgrounds who want to be the friendly, smiling and professional face of the airline. no – with Virgin Atlantic’s iconic style and flair.

‘We support difference and individuality, and by encouraging all of our employees to truly be themselves at work, we maintain an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. develop.’

Virgin’s famous red uniform has been worn by female employees since the airline’s founding in 1984.

Since 2014, Virgin employees have worn a version of the uniform created by British fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood.