▪ Virgin Atlantic announces an update to its gender identity policy and removesrequirement for its people to wear gendered uniform options

▪ The policy, effective today, champions the individuality of Virgin Atlantic’s people byenabling them to wear the clothing that expresses how they identify or presentthemselves. This follows previous changes including optional make up and allowingvisible tattoos for crew members and its front line people

▪ In addition to the policy, wider updates include the introduction of optional pronounbadges, ticketing system amends to allow for passport holders with gender neutralgender markers to use their gender codes and titles, mandatory inclusivity training forstaff and training in destination with tourism and hotel partners

▪ It comes as research* finds that allowing staff to embrace their individuality at workincreases mental wellbeing (49%), feelings of happiness (65%) and creates a betterexperience for staff and customers (24%)

Virgin Atlantic has launched its updated gender identity policy, giving its crew, pilots, andground team the option to choose which of the iconic uniforms, designed by VivienneWestwood, best represents them – no matter their gender, gender identity, or genderexpression.

Reflecting the diversity of the workforce and in a move that cements its position as the mostinclusive airline in the skies, Virgin Atlantic will offer its people a fluid approach to its red andburgundy uniforms, meaning LGBTQ+ colleagues will be able to choose either the red or theburgundy uniform, depending on which best reflects themselves.

The announcement is part of an ongoing drive to champion the individuality of its people andcustomers and is complemented by the roll out of optional pronoun badges for all its peopleand those traveling with the airline. This move enables everyone to clearly communicate andbe addressed by their pronouns. The badges will be available to teams and customers fromtoday and customers simply need to ask for their preferred badge at the check in desk or inthe Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

Virgin Atlantic has also updated its ticketing systems to allow for those who hold passports withgender neutral gender markers to select ‘U’ or ‘X’ gender codes on their booking as well asthe gender-neutral title, ‘Mx’. In lieu of passports with gender neutral gender markers beingavailable for all, Virgin Atlantic is implementing a longer-term plan to amend communicationpreferences to ensure customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns across alltouchpoints.

Mandatory inclusivity training will also be rolled out for its people at all levels across VirginAtlantic and Virgin Atlantic Holidays as well as a series of inclusivity learning initiatives for tourismpartners and hotels within destinations such as the Caribbean to ensure all our customers feelwelcome despite barriers to LGBTQ+ equality.

Launched as part of its ‘Be Yourself’ agenda, the airline has already unveiled a series ofindustry-leading inclusivity initiatives for its people to ensure they can truly be themselves atwork and feel comfortable in their roles. This latest addition follows a decision in 2019 to offercabin crew the choice whether to wear make-up as well as the option to wear trousers andflat shoes. More recently the airline lifted restrictions around allowing visible tattoos for crewmembers and its front line people.

Jaime Forsstroem, Cabin Crew at Virgin Atlantic commented: “The updated gender identitypolicy is so important to me. As a non-binary person, it allows me to be myself at work andhave the choice in what uniform I wear.”

Michelle Visage, Tanya Compas, Talulah-Eve and Tyreece Nye have teamed up with VirginAtlantic to showcase the new policy in a stylised fashion shoot that has been released today.Michelle Visage commented: “As the mother of a non-binary child, and as an ally to theLGBTQ+ community, these efforts by Virgin Atlantic to further inclusivity for its people areextremely important and personal to me. People feel empowered when they are wearingwhat best represents them, and this gender identity policy allows people to embrace whothey are and bring their full selves to work.”

The announcement comes as research finds that enabling employees to express their trueselves at work boosts happiness (65%), increases mental wellbeing (49%), creates a morepositive workplace culture (36%) and provides a better experience for customers (24%).Employees also reported feeling more accepted and comfortable when able to be their trueselves at work (26%) and an increased sense of loyalty to their employer (21%).

The airline’s initiatives also include an update of its existing trans inclusion policies, whichalready allows time off for medical treatments related to gender transition, personal choice ofchanging & shower facilities that align with the gender a person identifies as and co-creationof a personalised transitioning plan.

Juha Jarvinen, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Commercial Officer says, “At Virgin Atlantic, we believethat everyone can take on the world, no matter who they are. That’s why it’s so important thatwe enable our people to embrace their individuality and be their true selves at work. It is forthat reason that we want to allow our people to wear the uniform that best suits them andhow they identify and ensure our customers are addressed by their preferred pronouns.”