Many industries have had to soften their “no visible tattoos” regulations in recent years due to the large number of adults around the globe who have at least one tattoo and the overall acceptance of ink in society.
While the aforementioned definitely applies to the majority of industries, there are still several sectors that strictly exclude visible tattoos. Most of the large airlines, whether we’re talking about domestic or international carriers, have one of the harshest policies on this matter.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand how your prospective employer feels about visible tattoos if you want to begin a career in aviation as a flight attendant or even a pilot. Today’s article will focus on the latest tattoo policy of one of the biggest international airlines, Virgin Atlantic.
Stay with us for the next few minutes if you’ve considered applying to work as a crew member with the UK-based airline.
Virgin Atlantic Tattoo Policy: All You Need to Know
So, can you have tattoos and work for Virgin Atlantic?
The answer is a resounding YES!
As things stand, Virgin Atlantic is one of the most lenient airlines WORLDWIDE when it comes to acceptance of visible tattoos. People who consider applying for the cabin crew (or even pilot) position at Virgin Atlantic are allowed to have an unlimited number of tattoos that are visible while wearing the Virgin Atlantic uniform. The only exceptions right now are neck and facial tattoos but, looking at how drastically Virgin’s policy has evolved lately, it’s possible even these will soon be allowed.
The massive change in Virgin Atlantic’s tattoo policy is relatively fresh as it was announced in May 2022. Celebrating International Flight Attendant’s Day on 31th of May, the UK-based carrier revealed that it would no longer discriminate against potential recruits based on their tattoos. From that day, all people applying for the positions are allowed to sport their ink on previously-banned areas such as arms, hands, and legs.
Please refer to the image below to see the differences between previous and current Virgin Atlantic tattoo guidelines.
Virgin’s change of policy might spark a massive revolution in the airline industry as other carriers will have to follow suit if they don’t want to lose their competitive edge.
- Related: Delta Airlines Tattoo Policy
One of the main reasons that prompted Virgin Atlantic to rethink its stance on tattoos was the carrier’s wish to become more inclusive. The airline’s officials believe that by allowing visible tattoos, they will show their commitment to equality and diversity.
More About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic is a British airline that was founded in 1984. The carrier is headquartered in Crawley, United Kingdom, and it operates both domestic and international flights.
As of May 2022, the Virgin Atlantic fleet consisted of 43 aircraft that fly to about 30 destinations worldwide.
The airline’s main base is London Heathrow Airport but it also has secondary hubs in Manchester Airport and Glasgow Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know all about Virgin Atlantic’s tattoo policy, we would like to address some of the most frequently asked questions related to the subject. Find them listed below!
Are airlines strict about tattoos?
The simple answer is – it depends.
While most international airlines are pretty strict when it comes to visible tattoos, there are a few exceptions (Virgin Atlantic is one of them). In general, the trend is that the bigger the airline, the stricter its policy on tattoos is. With that said, it’s expected many major players will follow Virgin’s lead and allow their employees to have visible tattoos in the near future.
Do any airlines allow tattoos? (apart from Virgin Atlantic)
Some airlines in the US use the “badge/credit card rule”, meaning that as long as your tattoos are of the size of the airline badge or credit card, they are allowed. While this is not an industry-wide rule, it’s definitely something that’s worth taking into account.
A few examples of such carriers are Alaska Airlines, Skywest and United Airlines.
Which airlines do not allow tattoos at all?
Qatar Airways is arguably the strictest major airline when it comes to tattoos. The carrier doesn’t allow any ink whatsoever – and it doesn’t matter if it can be covered by the uniform. This is due to religious reasons as Qatar is a very traditional Muslim country.
Are tattoos allowed in Emirates?
The airline isn’t as strict as Qatar but the Emirates tattoo policy still doesn’t allow any visible tattoos amongst their employees.
Can you have tattoos working for British Airways?
Yes, you are allowed to have tattoos in areas that are easily covered by the uniform.
How can I remove a tattoo?
The only effective way to get rid of a tattoo is through laser tattoo removal. The process involves using lasers to break down the ink particles in your skin so that they can be naturally removed by your body.
Can laser remove tattoos completely?
In most cases, yes. However, it’s important to note that the number of sessions needed for complete removal can vary depending on factors such as the size and color of your tattoo, as well as your skin type.
Final Word
Virgin Atlantic’s new tattoo policy is a breath of fresh air in the airline industry. The carrier has become the first major airline to allow visible tattoos amongst its employees, thus setting an example for other airlines to follow.
We hope this article was informative and helped you learn everything you need to know about Virgin Atlantic’s tattoo policy. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section below!
