Nadia Eweida - who claimed she suffered religious discrimination at work - has won a landmark legal battle at a European court.
But three other Christian claimants, who launched similar action, lost their cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Miss Eweida, 60, took her case against the UK government to the ECHR after she was sent home for wearing a small silver cross around her neck in 2006 in breach of British Airways uniform codes.
She said she was "jumping for joy" at the ruling and was pleased it recognised the "anxiety, frustration and distress" she suffered.
Registrar Lillian Ladele lost her case "I'm very happy and very pleased that Christian rights have been vindicated in the UK and Europe."
The British government was ordered to pay her £1,600 in damages and £25,000 to cover costs.
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Delighted that principle of wearing religious symbols at work has been upheld - ppl shouldn't suffer discrimination due to religious beliefs."
An employment tribunal in Britain had ruled the Coptic Christian, who lives in south-west London but is originally from Egypt, did not suffer religious discrimination.
Counsellor Gary McFarlane refused sex therapy to homosexuals The decision was upheld by The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court before Miss Eweida took her fight to the ECHR.
She returned to work in customer services at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 in February 2007, after BA changed its uniform policy on visible items of jewellery.
Judges today ruled there had been a violation of article nine (freedom of religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
They found a fair balance was not struck between Miss Eweida's desire to demonstrate her religious belief and BA's wish to "project a certain corporate image".
It said Miss Eweida's cross was discreet and cannot have detracted from her professional appearance.
Nurse Shirley Chaplin refused to remove a crucifix "The court therefore concludes that, in these circumstances where there is no evidence of any real encroachment on the interests of others, the domestic authorities failed sufficiently to protect the first applicant's right to manifest her religion."
In a statement, British Airways said it was not a party to this legal action, which was pursued against the UK government.
"Our own uniform policy was changed in 2007 to allow Miss Eweida and others to wear symbols of faith and she and other employees have been working under these arrangements for the last six years.
"Miss Eweida has worked continuously for British Airways for 13 years."
Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, welcomed the judgement Judges rejected the case of nurse Shirley Chaplin, 57, after they found she was asked to remove her cross for health and safety purposes.
The ruling also found against marriage counsellor Gary McFarlane, 51, who was sacked for saying he might object to offering sex therapy to homosexuals.
The judgement said Mr McFarlane took the role at counselling service Relate in the knowledge that clients could not be divided in up in accordance with their sexual orientation.
Registrar Lillian Ladele, who was disciplined when she refused to conduct same-sex civil partnership ceremonies, also lost her legal action.
The court decided Islington Council's action was "legitimate" given it was also obliged to consider the rights of same-sex couples.
Dr John Sentamu All three plan to appeal the decision.
In reaction to the verdict, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: "Christians and those of other faiths should be free to wear the symbols of their own religion without discrimination.
"Whether people can wear a cross or pray with someone should not be something about which courts and tribunals have to rule."
Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights group Liberty, said: "Today's judgement is an excellent result for equal treatment, religious freedom and common sense.
"Nadia Eweida wasn't hurting anyone and was perfectly capable of doing her job whilst wearing a small cross.
"British courts lost their way in her case and Strasbourg has actually acted more in keeping with our traditions of tolerance."
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