Virgin Atlantic will allow its cabin crew to show off tattoos, the first UK airline and world leader in doing so.
The airline has to announce the policy change to its staff, a month after launching a brand campaign “promoting individuality” and while the aviation industry is struggling to recruit more people to key positions as demand recovers after the pandemic.
Sir Richard Branson’s airline, like most airlines, has so far banned visible tattoos, only hiring staff who could hide any ink work under his uniform.
Estelle Hollingsworth, director of people at Virgin Atlantic, said the restrictions were relaxing “in line with our focus on inclusion and advocating for individuality.”
He said: “At Virgin Atlantic, we want everyone to be themselves and know who they belong to. “.
Face and neck tattoos will continue to be banned for flight attendants for the time being, although the airline is considering relaxing the rules at a later date. Tattoos with insults, or considered culturally inappropriate, or those that refer to nudity, violence, drugs or alcohol are prohibited. Prison-style love / hate knuckle tattoos will also be banned.
Virgin Atlantic said the beneficiary crew includes those with full-arm tattoos who previously had to wear long-sleeved T-shirts instead of the standard short-sleeved version while on duty. Others have hidden smaller tattoos with makeup. Aircraft tattoos are popular with the crew, the airline added.
Josie Hopkins has just completed her training as a cabin crew and will be allowed to show off her tattoos when she makes her first flight next month. “Having previously worked for another airline and other jobs where my tattoos have to be covered, I felt like I wasn’t allowed to be myself,” she said.
Terry Nunn said his tattoos were from landmarks in London. “When we have clients on board and we visit London for the first time, I like to share with them any advice / secrets about the best places to eat / see in the capital. Now I can also show them my tattoos.
“I’m very happy to have changed the policy to allow cabin crew to express our individuality.”
Virgin Atlantic was one of the first airlines to relax the strict make-up rules for cabin crew. The female crew was forced to put on make-up during the service until 2019, when they ruled out the rule and allowed them to wear pants instead of a skirt if they wanted to. The move was seen as a significant shift in an industry where female crews, especially in full-service international airlines, are still often trained to apply makeup to airline regulations.
The adoption of body art reflects Virgin’s latest branding campaign, with ads featuring various passengers and crew with the “I’m What I Am” soundtrack, including one with multiple tongue-in-cheek punches, triggering the airport security. However, Virgin said these piercings would not yet be allowed for the crew.
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The change also comes as the aviation industry struggles to find enough staff to fill its seats, including the cabin crew, thousands of whom were laid off during the pandemic. Virgin Atlantic hired an additional 500 crew in January and now expects to recruit 300 more as demand for air travel returns.
The shortage of staff has caused rival British Airways to cancel hundreds of flights this summer, while easyJet has removed rows of seats from some of its aircraft to allow them to fly with fewer cabin crew according to regulations. the aviation industry.
There are still very strict rules about tattoos in much of aviation around the world, with some airlines refusing to hire – or even fired – crews with even discreet tattoos that would be hidden under the hood. ‘uniform.