British Airways Under Fire for Policing Bra Choice

British Airways is in trouble with the flight attendants’ union after female cabin crew members reported being reprimanded for a pretty intimate detail of their uniforms: their bra. Allegedly the airline tried to police what type and color of bra women employees are choosing to wear during their shifts.

British Airways has a new uniform in the process of being finalized but it’s, unfortunately, causing a bit of a dust-up among flight attendants and Unite, the flight attendants’ union. Apparently, female crew is being chastised for their choice of undergarments.

“Our women members report that the current uniform blouse is too transparent and I have been particularly concerned to learn that our members on Mixed Fleet have been subjected to the indignity of being managed for wearing the ‘wrong color or type of bra,’” wrote Diana Holland, the assistant general secretary for transport—equalities, food and agriculture, in a letter to British Airways CEO Alex Cruz, reported by MyLondon. “A bra is a really important item of clothing, particularly when women are wearing it for long periods and are active on duty.”

In addition to the bra issue, the letter notes there are other uniform concerns, including whether women can wear hats. Unite notes it has no direct input into how the uniform is designed.

The uniform is expected to be approved and ready to go later this year. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the airline responded to the letter, saying, “​Our cabin crew take great pride in their appearance while representing British Airways and hundreds of them​ are working with British designer Ozwald Boateng to create a modern and professional new look to mark our centenary this year.”

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