The Australian budget airline Virgin Blue was found guilty yesterday of discriminating against older flight attendants in favour of 'beautiful young blondes'.
Eight women between 36 and 56 years old won an age-discrimination case against the airline, founded by Sir Richard Branson, after complaining of unfair treatment when applying for jobs as flight attendants.
One told the Queensland Anti-discrimination Tribunal that during an assessment exercise, Virgin Blue executives had flocked 'like homing pigeons' to 'beautiful blonde' women in their twenties.
The women applied for jobs with Virgin Blue in 2001, and were invited to attend interviews in which they were asked to dance and sing. None progressed to the next phase of assessment.
'They were after a certain look that appeals to Richard Branson,' Theresa Stewart, a 52-year-old flight attendant with 27 years' experience, told an earlier hearing.
Virgin Blue was ordered to pay costs and A$5,000 ($29,000) to the initial claimant. The amount to be paid to the other seven will be decided next month.
