British Airways’ Male Crew Members to Be Allowed Piercings and Makeup

THE GUARDIAN: Airline follows Virgin Atlantic in updating its policies with non-gender-specific rules

A British Airways flight crew. Staff are urged to use ‘subtle shades’ of makeup. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters
British Airways’ male pilots and cabin crew are to be allowed to have piercings and wear makeup for the first time, after the airline updated its guidelines with non-gender-specific rules.

All employees in uniform can wear mascara, false eyelashes and earrings from Monday, as well as carry accessories including handbags, an internal memo told staff.

Staff are urged to use “subtle shades” of makeup and aim for a “natural look”, according to the updated rules. Nail polish is permitted for all, although black and neon nails are still off-limits. “Man buns” will also be permitted under updated hair grooming rules. It follows similar moves by rivals, notably Virgin Atlantic, to update its policies to reflect the diversity of modern society. » | Gwyn Topham, Transport correspondent | Thursday, November 10, 2022

Male pilots and cabin crew with mascara and nail polish? Really? If I didn't know better, I might have concluded that this was a story from April 1st! – Mark

Carey Attacks Judges After Nadia Eweida Loses BA Crucifix Case
TIMES ONLINE: A Christian has lost her appeal against a ruling that British Airways did not discriminate her by banning her from wearing a visible cross at work.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, immediately condemned the decision by three Court of Appeal judges against Nadia Eweida and warned that it would lead to more cases of religious discrimination.

Ms Eweida, 58, from Twickenham, southwest London, went to the Court of Appeal to try to overturn a decision by the Employment Appeal Tribunal that she was not a victim of indirect religion or belief discrimination.

But today Lord Justice Sedley said that her case of indirect discrimination was defeated by BA’s case that its actions were justified. >>> Frances Gibb, Legal Editor | Friday, February 12, 2010

Three Qatari Princesses Who Should Clearly Stick to Riding Camels!

Photo of the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani thanks to the Daily Mail

DAILY MAIL: Three Arab princesses were thrown off a packed British Airways flight after refusing to sit next to male passengers they didn't know.

The dispute - in which the three princesses from the ultra-conservative Qatar royal family demanded segregated seating - left the London-bound plane delayed on a baking Italian runway for nearly three hours.

Furious passengers whistled and clapped as the row intensified before the captain eventually ordered the women to be escorted off the plane.

The princesses, wearing traditional Arab dress, were returning from a day's shopping in Milan. They arrived at the city's Linate airport and boarded Heathrow-bound flight BA 563, which was due to take off at 4pm on Thursday.

The women, all relatives of the oil-rich emir of Qatar, Bader Bin Khalifa Al Thani, were booked into business class in a party of eight which included the emir and an entourage of cooks, servants and other staff. Arab princesses kicked off British Airways plane to jeers and whistles after refusing to sit next to male strangers (more) By Ray Massey

Mark Alexander