Can I be cabin crew with dreadlocks?

Can you have dreads as a flight attendant? Short and sweet answer - no. Just as there are certain hairstyles a Caucasian person is not allowed to wear as a FA, there are certain hairstyles that are considered verboten for black individuals while on duty.



In 2026, the aviation industry has become significantly more inclusive regarding natural hairstyles, including dreadlocks (locs). Many major airlines, such as United, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic, have updated their grooming standards to allow locs, provided they are maintained in a neat and professional manner. Generally, this means the locs should be clean, not excessively bulky, and tied back or secured if they reach past shoulder length to ensure they do not interfere with safety equipment or food service. However, some traditional "legacy" or "middle eastern" carriers (like Emirates or Qatar Airways) may still enforce more conservative standards that favor sleek buns or short hair. If you are applying for a role in 2026, it is best to check the specific "Appearance Guidelines" of each carrier; while "expressive" styles are more common now, the emphasis remains on a polished, uniform image that reflects the airline's brand.

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Aspiring cabin crew is also subjected to drug tests and sometimes alcohol tests to discover any substance abuse issues. Speech defects are not accepted. Any candidate with anemia, epilepsy, diabetes or such will not be considered fit to fly.

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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.

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Can flight attendants wear fake lashes? They must ensure that a professional business-like appearance is achieved. Make-up containing glitter, bright or gaudy colours must not be used. Professionally applied and natural looking lashes are permitted.

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Yes! As long as your hair is smart and presentable, the length won't be an issue. If your hair is cropped short, you can definitely be Cabin Crew! Make sure your haircut is tidy and your overall appearance is well-groomed and you're good to go.

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Upon hire, new Flight Attendants must go through the individual airline's training for certification. Sadly, most new hires fail airline training before ever making it to the tarmac. However, our graduates have a head start, and most go on to get hired by some of the top airline companies in the world.

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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.

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The estimated total pay for a Cabin Crew at Ryanair is $3,986 per month. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $3,986 per month.

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For acne, please note that you are not expected to have perfect skin. All cabin crew do from time to time have visible acne.

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Few are more eye-catching than the female staff of Emirates Airline, with their red lipstick and white head scarves.

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It varies depending on the airline's dress code. Some airlines require female flight attendants to wear heels as part of their uniform, while others do not. Some airlines may have a minimum heel height requirement, while others might allow more comfortable footwear choices.

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Due to the nature of the job it is totally possible! And whilst some people may want that, the majority of Flight Attendants are just like anybody else, and all they want is to meet their soulmate, their other half – someone to share their life with and have a loving, honest relationship.

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Flight attendants need to be alert throughout the journey, so they will take it in turns to refuel via mid-flight power naps. Major says he finds sleeping in crew rest areas pretty easy, but he knows flight attendants who find it tough to sleep in beds that Major calls “technically coffins.”

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