BA lifts ban on female cabin crew wearing trousers

Female cabin crew at British Airways have finally won the right to wear trousers following a two-year dispute with the airline.

Workers who joined BA's new "mixed fleet" crew were told that unless their request was due to medical or religious grounds, they had to wear a skirt.

The crew's union Unite said the move meant the airline was "joining the 21st century".

A recent survey revealed 83% of female Unite members working on the mixed fleet wanted the option to wear trousers.

Unite regional officer Matt Smith said: "It was ridiculous that 46 years after the Made in Dagenham women won the right to equal pay that companies like British Airways were still employing old fashioned views and treating women differently.

"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 BA spokesman said: "Our Mixed Fleet team wear the 'ambassador' British Airways uniform.

"While trousers are not a standard part of this uniform, colleagues wishing to wear them can request this through their manager."