Per the airline's guidelines, visible tattoos aren't allowed while wearing the flight attendant uniform, even if covered by makeup, jewelry or a bandage. The policy prohibits tattoos in areas visible while wearing the cabin crew uniform, such as the face, ears, hands, wrists and neck.

In 2026, while many airlines (like United, Virgin Atlantic, and Air New Zealand) have relaxed their rules, the general standard is that you cannot have tattoos that are offensive, extremist, or located on the face/neck. Most airlines still require tattoos to be "discreetly covered" by the uniform. For example, in 2026, Emirates and Qatar Airways maintain a strict "no visible tattoos" policy, meaning any ink on the arms, legs, or hands is a disqualifier. In North America, 2026 policies generally allow small, non-offensive tattoos on the arms or ankles, provided they are not larger than the size of a credit card. However, "hand tattoos" and "behind-the-ear" ink are still widely restricted by legacy carriers. A supportive tip: if you have visible ink, check the 2026 "Grooming Guidelines" for your specific airline before the interview, as "concealment with makeup" is often prohibited during the physical exam.