For many, it is a classic example of tongue-in-cheek advertising. But some viewers have taken offence to a high-profile TV ad campaign created to celebrate Virgin Atlantic's 25th anniversary on June 22.

The ad shows disgruntled passengers sit waiting for a flight in a dingy Heathrow in 1984 while a smart-talking businessman chatters into a brick-sized mobile phone. Suddenly, five gorgeous air stewardesses and a handsome suave pilot swish through the airport as stunned men turn to ogle. But at least 29 people have complained that the Virgin ad is sexist.