How Much Choice Do Pilots Have When It Comes To Their Uniform?

The uniforms that pilots and cabin crew wear are one of the most significant brand identifiers of the airline. For this reason, airlines generally apply standards for dressing and grooming (which is considered part of the overall uniformed appearance). Let’s examine uniform policies and discuss some unique specifics of airline uniforms.

Airline standards

A pilot is on “probation” for the first year or so after being hired at an airline. During this period, pilots adhere to appearance standards quite rigorously. The color of belts, socks, and shoes are seemingly minor cosmetic touches that are nonetheless regulated by airlines, and new pilots are well aware of the colors and styles allowed by their operators. After the probationary period has elapsed, you might catch pilots wearing fun socks, unique tie clips, or lapel pins.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

At some airlines, dress standards change seasonally. The most noticeable difference during the winter months at some North American carriers is the requirement to wear a uniform jacket. During the summer, some airlines’ jackets are optional, while others are mandatory year-round. A few airlines allow for leather bomber jackets in addition to traditional coats. Hats are another optional fixture at some airlines, while others require them.

Neckwear and grooming

Neckwear is a significant alteration some pilots can make to their uniforms. Not all pilots are required to wear ties. Women have the option to wear a neck scarf instead. Pilots at some companies, such as Southwest Airlines, allow pilots to choose their own. To their credit, Southwest has held competitions for kids to design ties and provided the winning designs to their crews.

Photo: Southwest Airlines

Grooming is an element of the uniform that has been changing of late. Traditionally, pilots are not allowed any facial hair aside from mustaches. Not only does this curate a pilot group’s appearance, but it serves a safety purpose. Namely, a tighter seal is formed around a pilot’s face without facial hair if an oxygen mask needs to be dawned during a depressurization event. Religious exemptions have been made for this, and carriers in the Middle East, such as Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates, have allowed pilots to have full beards for years.

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Changes in uniform policy

A uniform policy that appears to be changing is the allowance of visible tattoos on flight attendants. Virgin Atlantic announced earlier last year that they were relaxing hiring policies to allow for visible tattoos, excluding the face and neck. Traditionally, the in-flight crew could not have tattoos visible while wearing their uniform, which forced many pilots and flight attendants to wear long-sleeved shirts or makeup to conceal ink. While this policy is changing for cabin crew, no such guidelines have changed for pilots yet.

Photo: Virgin Atlantic

Uniforms provide pilots and cabin crew with a public-facing identity. Most crew members take their uniform appearance seriously and understand that they represent their company. It will be interesting to see how uniform policies change in the coming years as more freedom is given to in-flight staff to appear in a manner that most suits personal preferences.