Virgin Atlantic Now Lets Flight Crew Display Tattoos (But Not All Body Art)
Image via Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has inked down a new turning point for the flight industry. With effect from May 31, it is welcoming tattoos in its uniform policy, making Virgin Atlantic the first airline in the UK to allow visible tattoos.
Prior to this, flight attendants with tattoos had to request a long-sleeved shirt to cover them up, or keep them hidden with bandages or makeup.
Now, the airline is recognizing body art as an important form of self-expression.
“We’ve always encouraged our people to be themselves, so from today, they can now show their tattoos with pride,” the company shares on Twitter.
Image via Virgin Atlantic
The relaxed guidelines extend to body ink on arms and legs. Tattoos on the head, face, and neck will still need to be concealed, though Virgin Atlantic is reviewing its policy to potentially allow them too. Offensive art, however, has to remain hidden.
“At Virgin Atlantic, we want everyone to be themselves and know that they belong. Many people use tattoos to express their unique identities and our customer-facing and uniformed colleagues should not be excluded from doing so if they choose,” says Estelle Hollingsworth, Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic.
“That’s why, in line with our focus on inclusion and championing individuality, we're relaxing our tattoo restrictions for all our people,” Hollingsworth continues. “We’re proud to be the airline that sees the world differently and allows our people to truly be themselves.”
Virgin Atlantic points out that, since its uniform was designed by Vivienne Westwood, it’s only fitting for the attire to align with the design ethos of “the godmother of punk.”
Happy International Flight Attendants Day â¤ï¸
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) May 31, 2022
Today we're championing the dazzling collection of individuals who are our wonderful cabin crew. We've always encouraged our people to be themselves, so from today, they can now show their tattoos with pride. pic.twitter.com/rRU3OrzKQb
[via Metro.co.uk and Fortune, images via Virgin Atlantic]
