British Airways Diversifies Dress Code For Crew To Be ‘Most Authentic’ Selves

It seems that the first gateway to a world without borders is not a new country, but the flight that gets you there. Hot on the heels of Virgin Atlantic liberating its uniform policy, British Airways has now updated its dress code with non-gender-specific rules.

According to an internal memo picked up by the Guardian (via Insider), as of Monday, all British Airways employees—including male pilots and cabin crew—can put on makeup, piercings, and “man buns,” if they so wish.

Specifically, everyone will be permitted to have mascara, false eyelashes, and earrings on, in addition to carrying handbags.

Makeup and nail polish, however, have to be kept in “subtle shades”—black or neon nail art is still a no-go.

In its message to staff, the airline encourages them to “be bold, be proud, be yourself,” regardless of their background, gender identity, ethnicity, culture, or sexual identity.

Telling news outlets, a spokesperson for British Airways says it is committed to establishing an inclusive work culture and has collaborated with its own employees to develop guidelines where they can be their “best, most authentic version of themselves” at work.

[via Insider and The Guardian, cover photo 220763084 © Dmitrii Melnikov | Dreamstime.com]