British Airways accused of sexism over flight attendants' bra colours
British Airways has become embroiled in a sexism debate.
The subject? The bra colour of its female flight attendants.
Airline bosses are said to have disciplined cabin crew members for wearing bra colours visible under their white uniform blouses.
READ MORE: Should women be forced to wear a bra to work?
The flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom has fallen under fire by Union leaders, who are said to be acting on behalf of those staff members.
“It is neither appropriate nor acceptable women should be put in a situation where they can be demeaned for their choice of undergarments,” Diana Holland, a representative for Unite, told The Sun.
She told the publication cabin crew members had been “managed for wearing the wrong colour or type of bra”.
“I have been advised men are not told what underwear to put on or how tight or baggy it should be,” she added.
British Airways has since denied the accusations to Yahoo UK.
READ MORE: Should you wear a bra to bed?
“There is no evidence whatsoever that any of our cabin crew colleagues have ever been disciplined for their underwear, said a representative.
“We have no policy on type of underwear, and have no intention of bringing one in.”
The row was debated on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ show this morning, with glamour model Nicola McLean saying she felt it was inappropriate if female flight attendants’ bras were visible through their shirts.
"Women should wear the right bra. The uniform is there for a reason and they need to look the same – they're representing a brand,” she said.
"It's inappropriate for a bra to be showing in a professional environment."
However, last year’s ‘Apprentice’ winner Sian Gabbidon disagreed, saying it was “degrading” for women to be policed on their underwear – and the shirts shouldn’t be see-through in the first place.
This isn’t the first row to break out after the British Airways uniform. In 2016, female British Airways crew members won the right to wear trousers if they choose - following a two year long dispute.
Nor is British Airways the only airline embroiled in similar sexism debates over its uniforms. Earlier this year, Virgin Atlantic finally ditched its mandatory make-up rule for crew members.
Under the new regulations, the airline also promised to offer female staff members the option to wear trousers.