Virgin Atlantic has launched its updated gender identity policy.
Its crew, pilots, and the ground team now have the option to choose which of the iconic uniforms, designed by Vivienne Westwood, best represents them.
Virgin Atlantic will offer its people a fluid approach to its red and burgundy uniforms, meaning LGBTQ+ colleagues will be able to choose either the red or the burgundy uniform.
The announcement is part of an ongoing drive to champion the individuality of its people and customers and is complemented by the rollout of optional pronoun badges.
This move enables everyone to clearly communicate and be addressed by their pronouns.
The badges will be available to teams and customers from today and customers simply need to ask for their preferred badge at the check in desk or in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.
Virgin Atlantic has also updated its ticketing systems to allow for those who hold passports with gender-neutral gender markers to select ‘U’ or ‘X’ gender codes on their booking as well as the gender-neutral title, ‘Mx’.
Currently citizens from a small number of countries including the USA, India and Pakistan, are able to hold these passports and travellers must travel on the codes that match their passports.
Mandatory inclusivity training will also be rolled out for its people at all levels across Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays.
A series of inclusivity learning initiatives for tourism partners and hotels within destinations such as the Caribbean to ensure all customers feel welcome despite barriers to LGBTQ+ equality.
The new initiative is part of its ‘Be Yourself’ agenda.
This latest addition follows a decision in 2019 to offer cabin crew the choice of whether to wear make-up as well as the option to wear trousers and flat shoes.
More recently the airline lifted restrictions around allowing visible tattoos for crew members and its front-line people.
Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer says, “At Virgin Atlantic, we believe that everyone can take on the world, no matter who they are.
“That’s why it’s so important that we enable our people to embrace their individuality and be their true selves at work.
“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.”
For more information, visit corporate.virginatlantic.com
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