Several airlines have changed their uniform regulations in recent years, and others have chosen a more relaxed, casual appearance. Is it time to make a significant adjustment to these long-standing airline uniform policies?
Since the 1950s, the uniform for cabin crew members has been quite feminine, professional, and fashionable. Of course, women predominated in this profession, with ᴍᴀɴy of them having previously worked as nurses. Weight gain was absolutely not acceptable, and there were very high requirements for hair, makeup, footwear, and appearance in general. The purpose of the uniform was to highlight the feminine figure and make it appear glam. The issue is that while cabin crew uniforms are gradually altering, the airline industry’s uniform standards have not actually changed until recently.
KLM only started offering trousers as a choice for female cabin workers in 2010. Female cabin employees were given the option to wear trousers rather than skirts, and other major airlines followed suit. Some of these, like British Airways, Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic, and Bangkok Airways, have modified the need for wearing high heels.
The new cabin staff uniform, which is “casual and enjoyable and works well for a low-cost airline,” was just unveiled by the Iɴᴅɪᴀn airline Akasa Air. The footwear is flat and comfortable, and it is also environmentally friendly and pleasant. Play from Iᴄᴇʟᴀɴᴅ demonstrated their 2021 fashion with a loose-fitting suit and flat shoes, did away with the customary stringent regulations on make-up, tattoos, and nail polish, and said that the uniform had no gender and that crew members could wear anything they pleased.
A brand-new airline from Aᴜsᴛʀᴀʟɪᴀ named Bonza has similarly abandoned the uniform code in favor of a more laid-back, gender-neutral appearance. Last year, SkyUp Airlines in Uᴋʀᴀɪɴᴇ changed the dress code for its female cabin staff, replacing skirts and heels with pants and sneakers. The gender-neutral uniform was purchased by the Korean low-cost airline AeroK, who also worked with a beauty brand to create a lesson for all cabin staff members.
After receiving criticism for its strict regulations, Alaska Airlines revised them and produced a gender-neutral uniform kit for airport and cabin workers. In accordance with their new policies, all staff are permitted to wear makeup, nail polish, two earrings in each ear, and a nose piercing. United Airlines now accepts all genders with long hair, nail paint, and some visible tattoos. Virgin Atlantic modified its policy on tattoos this year and did away with the need that female cabin crew wear makeup.
There is no question that the airline’s uniform policy is out-of-date, and that issues of gender inequity and diversity need to be addressed. However, things are slowly beginning to change. Although not revolutionary, the slight alterations that allow female cabin crew to wear flat shoes and pants are appreciated by the present cabin crew. A uniform must be comfortable, functional, and adaptable.
The cabin crew must be easily identified on an airplane in reasons of safety, and their uniforms must do so in the event of an emergency or evacuation. Due to their neutral and laid-back appearance, would these new type uniforms make it harder to distinguish a crew member from the general public? There is also the issue of image; the airline’s uniform serves as its public face, so does a casual uniform cause people to doubt the airline’s seriousness or safety?
Most likely not, given the gender-specific cultures of the Middle East and Asia, where the cabin crew is predominately made up of young women, make it difficult to break away from the old fashion of gorgeous female uniforms. Since 1968, Sɪɴɢᴀᴘᴏʀᴇ Airlines’ renowned “Sɪɴɢᴀᴘᴏʀᴇ Girl” attire has remained largely unchanged, and with good reason. It is a look that has withstood the test of time and powerfully embodies both the airline’s brand and Sɪɴɢᴀᴘᴏʀᴇan culture.
Let’s see Airline Cabin Crew Uniforms & Styles – Around The World in the ᴀᴡᴇsome video below.
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Video resource: Simon
