10 Unspoken Appearance Rules Flight Attendants Have to Follow

Flight attendants first appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century and were all male. The first female attendant was a 25-year-old nurse in 1930, and by 1936, women had replaced men in this job almost entirely. The requirements for women became stricter every year, and they weren’t only about their physical fitness but also their appearance. We decided to find out how the rules for flight attendants have changed and which criteria are essential today.

Strict rules of the previous century

Nelly Diener, the first flight attendant in Europe, 1934

50-60 years ago, the requirements for flight attendants were stricter: they had to control their weight, have a particular body shape, and follow a specific dress code with short, tight dresses in the ’60s and ’70s. A flight attendant who worked during that time said they were forced to wear a special girdle to create the necessary body shape. If a flight attendant gained weight, reached age 32-35, or got married, she’d be fired.

Today, airlines don’t control the private lives of their employees or set crazy standards, but flight attendants should still look a certain way. Here are some of these rules.

They don’t need to be top models.

Despite the popular misconception, flight attendants don’t have to look like models. The minimum height should be 5’2″, with an arm reach of 6″ to 9″. They must be able to reach the baggage shelves. The weight is calculated with the body mass index, which should be between 18.5 and 24.9. The requirements may vary depending on the airline.

Age matters, but even older women can be flight attendants.

The minimum age is from 18 to 21. The maximum is not usually described because that would be considered discrimination, but after 30-32, women typically find a job on the ground. But it’s not always like that. For example, the photo above is of an American flight attendant, Bette Nash, in 2017. She was 81 years old, and she still flew and worked.

They must have clean skin.

A flight attendant is the face of the company. This is why they shouldn’t have scars on their face or other body parts that are not covered by clothes. The same goes for acne, birthmarks, and tattoos. It’s okay to have a tattoo on the back or hip for most airlines, but even a small one on the ankle, wrist, or neck means you can’t work as a flight attendant.

You have to have perfect vision.

Flight attendants should have perfect vision, or they can wear contact lenses. Airlines also allow glasses if they match the company’s image standards.

A Hollywood star smile

Flight attendants always smile at passengers, and the smiles have to be beautiful. White, straight teeth are necessary. Braces are allowed in some airlines, and others are lenient about hiring people with them. But crooked or missing teeth are definite no-nos. Even if it’s a temporary situation, this person will not likely be allowed to work.

Bright hair is only allowed when you retire.

Flight attendants should have hair long enough to touch their collars, but there are also some requirements for the color. You can only dye your hair in natural hues and promptly tend to the roots. Some flight attendants decide to do the ombre style of hair, but then they have to make a tuft of hair so that the light parts aren’t visible.

No nail polish in trendy mint hues

Good-looking nails are a must. The rules of every airline regulate the length of nails and their color. Usually, it’s classic: nude colors, French nails, or red, but not too long.

No heavy makeup with lots of contouring

Makeup is also necessary and should be natural-looking, but eyelash extensions and bright lips are acceptable. Some airlines allow only red lips of certain shades. Other companies require their employees to use foundation, rouge, eyeliner, and eyeshadow.

Only heels in the airport

The policies of different airlines may vary, but most of them make flight attendants wear heels in airport buildings. It looks beautiful, even though it’s not very comfortable. And during the flight, women can wear more practical, stable shoes.

Not too much jewelry, and always a watch

Only the minimum is allowed: 1 pair of small earrings without colorful gems, no more than 2 rings, including an engagement ring. But they always have to wear a watch. A flight attendant can’t work without one. Every crew member has a watch to track the time in case of an emergency because an evacuation shouldn’t take more than 90 seconds.

What are the requirements for your appearance at your work? Do you think you could follow as strict a protocol as flight attendants do?

Bonus

Check out the game GARDEN TALES and unwind after a hard day!