At Skyscanner, we believe travel opens minds, broadens perspectives and connects people across cultures and communities. That same belief shapes how we build our workplace culture too - one where everyone feels safe, supported and empowered to be themselves. Creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time initiative.
Over the past several years, we’ve continued to strengthen our approach through external accountability, inclusive policies, employee-led community building and global celebration of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences.
Holding ourselves accountable through partnership and benchmarking
We’ve partnered with LGBTQ+ inclusion charity Stonewall since 2019, with annual memberships, benchmarking exercises and best practice consulting services. This partnership helps us continuously assess and improve how we support LGBTQ+ inclusion across our business.
One of the most important parts of this work is participation in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI), one of the most comprehensive and respected benchmarks for LGBTQ+ inclusion globally. The index evaluates organisations across a wide range of areas, from policies and benefits to training and education. It's an important way to ensure we’re listening, learning and continuing to evolve.
We're proud to have received Gold and Silver UK WEI awards from 2022-2024. Most recently we gained a Silver Award in our first entry into the Global WEI 2025, reflecting the next phase of our global LGBTQ+ inclusion strategy.
While awards are encouraging, we see them as milestones rather than destinations. Our focus remains on building meaningful, lasting inclusion for our employees around the world.
Creating community through RISE PROUD
Our LGBTQ+ employee network, RISE PROUD, plays a central role in helping foster connection, visibility and advocacy across Skyscanner. Its mission is simple but powerful: to help ensure Skyscanner is a place where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities can belong and thrive.
Through employee-led initiatives, education, storytelling, allyship and community events, the network helps create spaces where conversations can happen openly and authentically.
“At RISE PROUD, our focus is on creating a space where LGBTQ+ colleagues feel seen, supported and empowered to show up as themselves. Pride is an important moment of visibility, but inclusion is something we build every day through community, allyship and honest conversations. I'm proud to help shape a culture at Skyscanner where people can thrive authentically and where different perspectives are genuinely valued.” Brian, RISE PROUD Chair & Head of Marketing Verticals
Supporting our people through inclusive policies
We know inclusive cultures are built through everyday experiences, systems and support. That’s why we’ve continued to review and evolve our policies to ensure they reflect the diverse realities and needs of our employees. Some examples include:
Inclusive Bereavement Policy: our bereavement policy includes recognition of chosen family, acknowledging the importance of relationships and support systems that may exist beyond traditional definitions of family.
Transitioning at Work Policy: dedicated guidance for employees and managers navigating gender affirming care, including practical support and employee checklists designed to create clarity, dignity and confidence throughout the process.
Reproductive and Gender Health Policies: from fertility and assisted conception, to gender affirming care (including appointments, recovery and therapy), our policies support a wide range of health and wellbeing needs.
Celebrating Pride globally
Since 2018, we’ve participated in Pride celebrations across many of our office locations and hosted global internal events to celebrate. We’ve also proudly sponsored Pride marches, including London Pride (2023) and Edinburgh Pride (2023, 2024 & 2026), helping support visibility and inclusion beyond our own workplace.
In 2026 we’ll be celebrating through a company-wide fireside chat, localised Pride march celebrations, Pride-themed internal social events and volunteering days with LGBTQ+ charities. These moments are an opportunity to celebrate progress, amplify voices and continue learning from one another, while recognising there is always more work to do.
Recognition from the wider community
We’re honoured that our efforts have also been recognised externally through industry and community awards. Recent recognitions include:
LGBT British Awards 2026 — Company of the Year (shortlisted)
PROUD Scotland Awards 2026 — Network of the Year (shortlisted)
LGBT British Awards 2025 — Network of the Year (shortlisted)
PROUD Scotland Awards 2024 — Network of the Year (shortlisted)
Continuing the journey
Inclusion is never finished. As our business grows globally, so does our responsibility to create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued and able to succeed as themselves. We know meaningful progress requires listening, accountability and consistent action. We’re proud of the steps we’ve taken so far, and we remain committed to continuing that work — together.
