British Airways faced a backlash over an "extremely offensive" ruling banning a Christian employee from wearing a cross around her neck.
Heathrow check-in worker Nadia Eweida claims she was effectively "forced" to take unpaid leave after refusing to remove or conceal the symbol, which is about the size of a five pence piece.
Meanwhile, the airline said that items such as turbans, hijabs and bangles could be worn "as it is not practical for staff to conceal them beneath their uniforms".
Miss Eweida, 55, from Twickenham, West London, who has been with BA for seven years, plans to sue her employer - which she considered to be "a very reputable company" - for religious discrimination.
Miss Eweida said she had just undergone training on respecting and understanding other people's beliefs with BA when she was asked to remove the cross. She sought permission to wear it from management, but that was not forthcoming.
The airline, now facing a call for Christians to boycott it, was accused of "double standards".
John Andrews, communications officer for the Diocese of Bath and Wells said: "I think BA are being extremely offensive to members of the Christian faith. If she is wearing it as a symbol of her Christian faith she should be allowed to do it."
Tory MP Ann Widdecombe warned that if BA had not reversed its "crazy" policy by Monday evening, she would cut up her BA executive club card and would not use the airline in future unless there was no other alternative.
Mark Stephens, a partner in law firm Finers, Stephens Innocent, said BA was the only company he was aware of who had taken the "extraordinary step" and that a "double standard" was being applied. He accused the company of being "out of step" with employment law and discrimination law.
A BA spokeswoman emphasised that Miss Eweida has not been suspended from work. She said the matter remained under investigation and an appeal was due to be heard next week.
