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World6 February 20162 min read

Now who's wearing the trousers!

Air hostesses have long been seen as glamorous jet-setters who travel the world in flattering uniforms. But yesterday cabin crew for British Airways won a two-year battle for the right to wear more practical, comfortable clothing. A ruling in an internal test case found female fl

Editorial Team Legacy

Published 6 February 2016, 8:00 · Updated 18:22

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Now who's wearing the trousers!

Air hostesses have long been seen as glamorous jet-setters who travel the world in flattering uniforms.

But yesterday cabin crew for British Airways won a two-year battle for the right to wear more practical, comfortable clothing. A ruling in an internal test case found female flight staff should be allowed to wear trousers.

Female BA recruits, who were hired after 2012, had been required to wear a skirt – unless exempted on religious or medical grounds.

Staff hired before then were able to wear a different uniform, designed by Julien Macdonald, which included trousers, so they are unaffected by the decision.

The uniform change came after 83 per cent of Unite union members demanded freedom to wear trousers.

Despite the ruling female BA staff will still need to ask permission from their manager to wear trousers.

The move was hailed by Unite, as a sign the airline was ‘joining the 21st century’.

Regional officer Matt Smith said: ‘British Airways’ stance was unbefitting of a modern airline in the modern age, and demonstrates that Unite will not allow cases like this to go unchallenged.

‘Not only is the choice to wear trousers a victory for equality it is also a victory for common sense and testament to the organising campaign of our members.

‘Female cabin crew no longer have to shiver in the cold, wet and snow of wintery climates, but also can be afforded the protection of trousers at destinations where there is a risk of malaria or the Zika virus.’

A BA spokesman said: ‘While trousers are not a standard part of the uniform, colleagues wishing to wear them can request this through their manager.’

Female staff at Ryanair have to wear skirts. Virgin Atlantic staff have to make a request to wear trousers, and Etihad Airways removed the trousers option from its uniform last year. Only Easyjet has allowed female cabin crew to choose.



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