Qantas Has Officially Ditched These Grooming Regulations For Its Cabin Crew

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Qantas Has Officially Ditched These Grooming Regulations For Its Cabin Crew

Qantas is officially bidding farewell to several of its gender-dictated uniform and grooming guidelines for cabin crew, pilots and airport staff. This announcement marks the airline’s second significant upheaval, following CEO Alan Joyce’s decision to step down, with Vanessa Hudson taking over as his replacement.

After taking feedback from staff on board (not to mention being called out by the Australian Services Union), Qantas and Jetstar have made the necessary tweaks to ensure its grooming regulations are inclusive and comfortable for all employees.

One of the main changes being: female staff may wear flat shoes, and they are no longer required to wear makeup. Rejoice.

Prior to these changes, Qantas female staff were required to wear high heels alongside a dress or skirt at all times. As for the males? The use of makeup or jewellery was not allowed. Boo!

What are the new uniform regulations for Qantas and Jetstar?

“Fashions change and so have our style guidelines over the years,” said a Qantas rep. And though employees won’t receive an entirely redesigned uniform, the ‘male’ and ‘female’ designated pieces will cease to exist.

“These changes will make wearing our uniform more comfortable and practical for all of our people, including those with a wide range of body types and those from diverse cultural backgrounds.” Um, about time.

What are some of the changes we can expect now? First up, male employees are able to grow out their hair (as long as it is tied neatly in a bun, ponytail or cornrows). Plus, they’ll be allowed to wear accessories including diamond earrings and a watch.

According to a spokesperson for the airline, “in the ’70s, women had to wear skirts above the knee. Today, employees can choose whether or not to wear makeup, flat shoes and boots are in, and strict rules on watch sizes are out.”

Welcome to 2023, Qantas!

Main image credit: Getty

What do you think about these updated uniform regulations?

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Comments 48

  1. I’ve been doing a lot of travelling with Qantas lately and I’ve often looked at the crew and thought about how uncomfortable some of them looked in their uniforms and heels. So, I think it’s a huge leap forward for Qantas staff.

  2. As long as there is some cohesion with the uniform that staff wear, I really don’t care if it is trousers, dress or skirt – it doesn’t change the service that they provide.

  3. Not something I will be taking much notice of because I’m not likely to fly anywhere anytime soon thank you very much RBA. But what a relief to not have to wear heels. I like to wear heels sometimes but there are times when my feet and back cant hack it.

  4. When I was flying, part of the training included very strict rules regarding how makeup should be worn. You could almost trowel off the foundation. You only have to take a look at some of the airlines in the US and their cabin crew are anything but glamorous and flat shoes are a must as they should be when you are on your feet for long hours.

  5. I think its important that the staff feel comfortable. I find men nowadays having beards more than ever and I like that their outfits have had an overhaul. Its probably been a long time they changed things up.