Can air hostess have long hair?

The video continues with the flight attendant styling her hair to put it up into a sleek bun, while explaining: The answer: If your hair is longer than 15 centimetres it needs to be in a bun or up. This is because, in the event of an emergency, it needs to be out of your face.



Yes, a "flight attendant" (air hostess) can have very long hair, but in 2026, almost every global airline has strict "Grooming Standards" that require long hair to be neatly tied back and secured. For safety and professional appearance, hair that touches the shoulder or longer must typically be styled in a "bun," a "French twist," or a very neat "ponytail" (depending on the specific airline's brand manual). For example, Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates or Qatar are famous for their high-value, precise "bun" requirements, often specifying the exact height of the hair on the head. The reason for this is practical: long, loose hair can be a safety hazard during an emergency evacuation or when working near galley machinery. A peer-to-peer "pro" tip: many airlines have relaxed their rules slightly in 2026 to allow more "natural" textures and styles, but the "neat and tidy" rule remains the high-value standard for anyone working in a safety-critical, high-visibility role in the aircraft cabin.

People Also Ask

Braided buns, chignons, and low buns are the most popular for female in-flight crews. You'll need more than just a hair tie to create a bun that won't budge all day. Use lots of bobby pins or French pins (the U-shaped kind) to tuck it in. First, do a low ponytail and tie it with a band.

MORE DETAILS

While there is no specific weight requirement to be cabin crew, one flight attendant revealed that staff must be able to fit into a plane seat with the seatbelt on, which is adjustable.

MORE DETAILS

At 21 years old, you can apply to be a flight attendant with any airline. Minimum age requirements typically apply at the time of training completion, so candidates who will reach an airline's minimum age during training can apply for flight attendant roles. There is no upper age limit for flight attendants.

MORE DETAILS

During the training, cabin crew go through training of grooming where they are taught how to look, what to wear, how to do their hair, how to wear makeup, how to walk, talk and behave. Have you noticed that flight attendants look good all the time? Before a flight and even after a long haul!

MORE DETAILS

For aspiring flight attendants, Delta Air Lines, ranked by its employees as one of the best places to work, is also one of the most difficult places to get a job. It's harder to get invited to Delta flight attendant training than it is to get into Harvard University.

MORE DETAILS

Height-wise, attendants should be between 5'2” and 6'3” without shoes. They do not allow facial piercings or visible tattoos – even if concealed. A high school degree is required, with 2 or more years of college preferred.

MORE DETAILS

According to United's “Flight Attendant Uniform Appearance Standards“, tattoos must never be visible while you're in uniform. If your tattoo is on an area covered by the uniform, you do not violate the flight attendant's requirements.

MORE DETAILS

While many airlines still require female flight attendants to wear high heels as part of their uniform, there is no industry-wide requirement for this footwear. In recent years, some airlines have relaxed their dress codes to allow more comfortable shoes, such as sneakers or flats.

MORE DETAILS

As we have mentioned above, airlines do not ask flight attendants to wear makeup, but they ask them to look the best and most elegant. Airlines suggest wearing what can make them look polished and glamorous. Every airline has guidelines; some ask you to wear mascara and lipstick to make your overall look perfect.

MORE DETAILS

There is no universal requirement for air hostesses to be single, and in many airlines, married women and those with children can work as air hostesses. However, historically, some airlines have had policies that restricted employment of married women or those with children, but this has changed over the years.

MORE DETAILS

Average Flight Attendant Pay vs. Flight Attendants earned an average salary of $62,280 in 2021.

MORE DETAILS