On -board agents – In particular women – were subject to strict standards of appearance throughout the age of the jet until the mid -1990s. Many airlines said that it had attracted well -paid travelers and created a high brand.
The hostesses, as it is then called, could not be too large or too short, too old or too young. They couldn’t be heavy – and they had to be single and childless. In the 1970s, Southwest Airlines, for example, installed its on -board agents in hot pants and gogo boots.
Globally, the aeronautical industry has since moved to concentrate its on -board agents more closely on security and service. With this, standards of appearance are still like the skirt and the length of the nails, carrying a tie and hairstyle rules, but they are much less demanding compared to past eras.
Some Western carriers allow the female cabin crew today to wear tennis shoes instead of heels or pants instead of skirts and dresses. Most can also choose to wear minimal or not makeup, while some airlines allow men to wear earrings.
However, some carriers have not yet abandoned the expectations of traditional appearance and maintain more conservative guidelines.
Qatar Airways is known in the industry to have strict appearance codes and other things, probably an effort to maintain its brand and its professionalism focused on luxury. The airline, with its rigorous standards, was assessed at the best of the world, from 2024.
Qatar claims that strict rules have not dissuaded cabin crew requests: a spokesperson told Business Insider that only 6% of the tens of thousands of candidates were accepted.
Bi spoke with Qatar Daina Haughton and Milan Rankovic and Specialist Kristine Odejar to find out more about the airline regime.
Makeuv, skin and nails
HAGHTON said that Qatar on -board agents learn to style their hair and make up in the initial training.
This implies working with “grooming officers” like Odejar, who help associate the makeup of on -board agents with their complexion and their texture and teach them to apply it as best as possible using different brushes and pens.
Hauthton said that the training was not “difficult”, but the consultants provided advice that the cabin crew “can do to correct certain things that you would not only know”. She added that she spent two hours preparing for flights, putting aside an hour for hair and makeup.
During a training session observed by BI, Odejar explained the rules of basic makeup articles required for the members of the cabin crew.
She said they needed a “complete coverage” foundation and a corrector, a black mascara that is not “too lumpy” and matt or strand (no glitter).
Qatar Airways has strict beauty rules that the cabin crew must follow when flying. Mark Adam Miller / Business Insider
The colors of lipstick and nails can be dark pink, deep red or Burgundy, while nail varnish options also include the naked, the light or the French. The Bordeaux theme conforms to the color of the brand of Qatar.
Odejar gives advice such as the use of a lasting corrector because it is “bulletproof” and does not detach from the face, and the use of the powder to adjust the makeup. She also said to prioritize skin health.
Qatar does not allow visible tattoos either, a common directive in most world airlines. However, some carriers such as Virgin Atlantic Airways have become more indulgent and allow tattoos of different sizes.
Strict hairstyles and clean mustaches for men
HAGHTON said that the hairstyle acceptable for women is a bun located low enough for the uniform hat to adapt on it. She added that the hair cannot be too fatty and should be a natural color so shaded; No rainbow.
In addition, the cabin crew must use hair nets to cover the bun, and they can choose to use one or two acorns; Haughton prefers two.
Odejar described the men’s hair grooming directives, which correctly include style and the use of wax or clay to make it treated and smooth.
“You just need to apply a decent amount of product so that it does not seem too perceived or having this kind of wet look effect,” she said.
The Daina Haughton on -board agent demonstrates his hair routine. Mark Adam Miller / Business Insider
Rankovic said that the male cabin crew can have facial hair, but only mustaches, not beards.
He said that the mustache must be carefully shaved, cannot develop on the upper lip or below the lip line and must be cultivated when a trip begins.
“Basically, you must introduce yourself for flights with (a) the fully cultivated mustache,” said Rankovic. “So you have to do it during your days off.”
He added that the rest of the face should be clearly shaved; No shadows at 5 am. The ban on beard helps maintain a clean and professional look.
Qatar told Daily Telegraph in December that gray hair is not allowed either and that bald stains had to be covered.
Uniforms must be treated and accurate
Qatar on -board agents receive specific uniforms, including skirts, pants, blazers and simple socks without logos or designs. Women wear hats and men have links.
Each crew member must transport a spare uniform in the event of spills or other damage during the flight. They also have a separate winter jacket when they travel in colder climates.
A Qatar grooming instructor said that the only authorized men’s accessory is a watch, while women’s jewelry is limited to a watch, simple earrings and mono-band rings.
Married women can carry their alliance as long as the stone is integrated: “If the stone is protruding, it (creates) a security problem,” said the instructor. “They can injure themselves; they can hurt customers.”
Qatar on -board agents in their standard uniform. Georg Wendt / Picture Alliance via Getty Images
Women also wear stockings, but they must be matte and complete their skin color. The instructor said that Qatar encourages wearing perfume, but those with a soft or soft fragrance so as not to irritate customers.
On -board agents carry different uniform parts depending on the flight phase. For example, Haghton said she was wearing a jacket on the ground, as during boarding and walking at airports. During the service, it turns into a “dining room” blue jacket.
Each on -board agent also has a black handbag that can be locked with a personal access code. HAGHTON said that the code was necessary because the bags are identical and it is easy to mix them with another crew member.
She said that standard bag items are their smartphone issued by the crew, a notebook, their passport and any makeup they may need to reapply throughout the day.
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