A long-running fight between British Airways and cabin crew staff has come to an end today with the decision that recently hired female flight attendants are no longer forced to wear skirts on the job.

Unite, the union representing British Airway crew members, announced Friday that the airline had lifted its ban stopping women from wearing pants after a years-long dispute.

[Ed. note: Yes, we know that “pants” means underwear in England, and that we should probably be referring to the garment as “trousers,” but that’s a silly word.]

“British Airways’ stance was unbefitting of a modern airline in the modern age and demonstrates that Unite will not allow cases like this to go unchallenged,” the union said in a statement. “Not only is the choice to wear trousers a victory for equality it is also a victory for common sense and testament to the organizing campaign of our members.”

[Ed. note: See what we mean about “trousers”? It’s just a goofy word and it should be retired, like “bumbershoot” and “velocipede.”]

Crew members who joined the company after 2012 have been subject to a dress code that mandated women wear a skirt, unless they applied for a waiver on medical or religious grounds.

Unite says that a recent survey found that 83% of female members wanted the option to wear pants.

A spokesperson for British Airways tells The Guardian that employees who would like a pair of pants as part of their uniform can request them through their manager.

Female British Airways cabin crew win the right to wear trousers [The Guardian]

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