Unite, the union representing British Airways crew members, announced Friday that the airline had lifted its ban stopping women from wearing pants after a years-long dispute.
The decision comes after a two-year dispute counteracting an employee dress code which demanded they be perpetually chilly and uncomfortable, because gender norms.
Crew members who joined the company after 2012 have been subject to a dress code that mandated women wear a skirt, unless they applied for a waiver on medical or religious grounds.
Unite says that a recent survey found that 83% of female members wanted the option to wear pants.
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 British Airways spokesperson said: ‘While trousers are not a standard part of the uniform, colleagues wishing to wear them can request this through their manager.’
The fight to cover one’s legs is not over for flight attendants in Britain, though.
“Virgin Atlantic reviews requests on a case-by-case basis, with skirts the norm,” the Guardian reports. “Only EasyJet crew are routinely able to wear trousers. Ryanair has yet to make trousers available, although since last year its female crew are no longer encouraged to pose in bikinis for an annual calendar.”
U.S. airlines don’t require the skirt but they encourage it, and some airlines require high heels while boarding is happening, but not all of them.
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