Cabin Crew Uniform Standards – December 2024 Update

General Information

  • Bulletin Ref. No.: FST 24-113 ; Flight Standards Administrative Bulletin, Reference ISS24-119.
  • Subject: Uniform Standard Updates (Cabin Crew – all aircraft fleet).
  • Date issued: 17 Dec 2024.
  • Effective: Immediately.
  • Update areas: hairstyles, female eyelash extensions, make-up, accessories, nails, shoes, stockings/socks, ID/lanyards, nameplate, jewellery, undergarments, sunglasses, cellphones & gadgets, digital watches.

Female Hairstyles

  • Approved hair-colour shades
    • BLACK, DARK BROWN, MEDIUM BROWN only.
    • Natural light-brown hair (e.g., Spanish, Caucasian, Mestiza) exempted.
  • Colour techniques
    • Lowlights permitted if shade is the closest darker tone to natural colour.
      • Definition: “Lowlights involve darkening strands of hair using colours darker than natural hair to add depth & dimension.”
  • Consistency
    • Root regrowth must never show; colour must be uniform root-to-tip.
  • Bangs
    • Soft / wispy bangs allowed only if they do not touch eyebrows.
    • Heavy bangs NOT allowed.
  • Short hair
    • Cut must remain feminine, classic, conservative.
    • Bob length must not touch shoulders.
    • Asymmetrical cuts NOT allowed.
  • Long hair
    • Mandatory neat bun.
    • Bun secured with thin black “invisible” hairnet.
    • Donut maker permitted; maximum diameter 5\ \text{inches}.
    • Synthetic or braided hair buns NOT allowed; bun colour must match natural hair.
  • Grey hair (“salt & pepper”) NOT allowed unless for medical reasons.
  • Synthetic full wigs NOT allowed.

Male Hairstyles

  • Salt-and-pepper colour is acceptable.
  • Hair always away from face; neatly trimmed; must not touch collar.
  • Sideburns ≤ middle of ear.
  • Bangs (partial, curly, straight) must not reach eyebrows.
  • Skin-fade sides allowed if clipper guard length ≤ #2.
  • Prohibited styles:
    X Mohawk
    X Undercut
    X Braids / cornrows
    X Pompadour / slick-back
    X Messy / tousled
    X Shaved-bald.

Female Eyelash Extensions

  • Permitted in uniform when natural looking.
    • Length range: 5\text{ – }11\ \text{mm} (natural-mascara look).
    • Thickness: 0.10\text{ – }0.15\ \text{mm}.
  • Use waterproof, strong-hold glue.
  • Crew responsible that lashes do not detach in flight / during service.

Nails

  • General
    • Always clean and manicured; all nails same length.
    • If one breaks, file all to match.
  • Allowed shapes: (illustration in bulletin) – essentially oval, round, squoval; no stiletto/ballerina/pointed.
  • Length
    • Max extension \tfrac{1}{8}\ \text{inch} beyond fingertip.
  • Colours (female)
    • Bright red.
    • French manicure (white tip, natural-looking base only).
    • Colourless (two coats).
    • Soft gels allowed but must comply with these colours.
  • Male nails
    • Evenly shaped, short, buffed; never polished.
  • NOT allowed: glitter, stickers, hologram, nail art.

Shoes

Female – Walking shoes (airport & landside)

  • Plain black smooth leather.
  • Standard heel only (no platform).
  • Heel height measured at outer heel:
    • Minimum 2\ \text{in}
    • Maximum 3\ \text{in}.

Female – Cabin shoes (in-flight)

  • Plain black smooth leather.
  • Heel (standard or wedge):
    • Min 0.5\ \text{in}
    • Max 2\ \text{in}.
  • Decorative stitching/patterns on toe NOT allowed.

Male

  • Must be plain black leather (upper & sole), clean, polished, professional.
  • Permitted styles: lace-up, regular slip-on, chukka boots, wingtip.
  • NOT allowed: crocs, Sanuk, driving shoes, low-cut slip-ons, tassels, buckles, cowboy heels, boots, bulldog types, boat shoes, kung-fu shoes, rubber-soled “sneaker looking” dress shoes (e.g., Cole Haan Lunarlon).

Stockings & Socks

Stockings (Female)

  • ONLY dark-gray sheer support stockings allowed.
  • Must be perfect, snag-free; always carry spare pair.
  • Medical rationale: reduces risk of varicose veins.
  • Recommended brand: Burlington Ultra Sheer Support, Grayish Black.

Socks (Male)

  • Plain black; mid-calf length—no bare leg visible when seated.
  • Sports socks, ankle length, or designs NOT allowed.
  • Reminder in bulletin: “BLACK SOCKS are strictly NOT allowed” pertains to female (should wear stockings instead).

Accessories

PAL ID & Lanyard

  • Worn at all times in uniform while on ground.
  • During flight: remove upon boarding; re-wear before disembarkation.
  • Must hang beneath scarf or over necktie.
  • Only PAL Express lanyard permitted; lanyard must be free of pins except prescribed ones.

Nameplate

  • Worn always; pinned left side of jacket, blouse, smock, vest.
  • Three plates issued—assign one per garment type.

Jewellery

Earrings

  • One stud per ear; white pearls or diamonds (real/faux) only.
  • Stone size ≤ size of earlobe.
  • Metal colours: white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, silver; combinations allowed.

Rings

  • Max one ring per hand; worn on middle or ring finger.
  • Engagement & wedding rings may stack on same finger.
  • Materials: gold, silver, copper, pearl.
  • Stone size ≤ \tfrac14 inch diameter.

Necklace & Bracelet

  • Necklace allowed if not visible in uniform.
  • Bracelets of any style NOT acceptable.

Undergarments

Female

  • Bra colours: skin-tone, nude/beige, or white only.
  • Cross-strap bras allowed.
  • Coloured or patterned bras NOT allowed.

Male

  • Plain white round-collar short-sleeve shirt under uniform.
  • Recommended lower underwear: trunk briefs, boxer shorts, etc.

Sunglasses

  • Must be conservative, business-like; moderate size/design.
  • Wear outdoors only; not on head, hanging from neck, or tucked into clothing.
  • Mirror/reflective lenses NOT allowed.
  • Prohibited inside cabin or during flight.

Cellphones & Gadgets

  • NEVER used while walking inside airport.
  • In cabin: use limited to e-FIR completion & inflight announcements (for crew lacking SCC tablet).
  • Calls must be answered discreetly, away from passenger view.
  • AirPods/headphones NOT allowed on duty/in uniform.
  • Devices must remain out of sight; no bulging pockets.

Digital Watches

  • Acceptable watch types: Apple Watch, Android smartwatches, sports/fitness digital (Suunto, Garmin, etc.).
  • Strap/watch-face rules (must appear professional):
    • Single-band metal straps: gold, black, silver, rose-gold, copper, or combos of these.
    • Single-band leather: black or brown only.
    • Standard professional watch faces only.
  • Prohibited straps/faces: multiple bands; rubber, Velcro, sporty, colorful, fancy, silicon, nylon, cloth, NATO, scout straps; lewd/obscene/vulgar faces.
  • Battery: device must be ≥80\% charged; crew must carry charger on every duty.

Compliance Notes & Rationale

  • Continuous updates sent; crew expected to monitor bulletins regularly.
  • Medical justification: support stockings combat varicose veins; proper nail length and polish avoid contamination; sturdy shoes preserve foot health.
  • Professional appearance underpins brand image, passenger confidence, and uniformity across all fleets.
  • Non-compliance may lead to administrative or disciplinary action under Flight Operations/Standards policies.