Emirates, one of the most conservative airlines with the canons of beauty.
A few weeks ago she read a friend's comment on social networks about the excessive use of makeup by women. flight attendants . Perhaps what struck him the most was that it was an early morning flight and that the hostesses were made up as if for a wedding. Is it necessary and voluntary?
A few days later, on March 1, Virgin Atlantic, the British company, made history by eliminating one of the hitherto untouchable standards in cabin crew dress codes : the makeup.
Your flight attendants would no longer be forced to wear makeup if they didn't want to; a revolution in the world of aviation in terms of equality.
"We want our uniform to truly reflect who we are as individuals while maintaining the famous style of Virgin Atlantic . We've been listening to feedback from our people, and as a result, we've announced some changes to our styling and grooming policy that support this," said Mark Anderson, the company's vice president.
And he continued: "The new guidelines not only offer a higher level of comfort, but also give our team more choice in how they want to express themselves at work . Helping people to be themselves is essential for us."
Virgin Atlantic's iconic red.
However, Virgin leaves flight attendants the freedom to wear makeup if they want. "You are still very welcome to use any of our existing makeup palette (including the lipsticks and foundation ) set out in Virgin Atlantic guidelines," the vice president emphasized in the statement.
And although they were not the first - British Airways already did it in 2016 and Iberia also did the same a decade ago- they also make available to the female crew the possibility of wearing pants , which are incorporated into the already characteristic red uniform.
This is quite an advance considering the strict regulations that have always prevailed in airlines. “We believe that any measure that goes in the direction of eliminate gender stereotypes it is correct” Jesús Cuevas, president of the Airline Flight Auxiliary Crew Union, STAVLA, told Traveler.es.
The president of STAVLA affirms that there has been a constant demand by flight attendants, but that the requirements for changes of this type are difficult to carry out.
"The introduction of a new uniform It is usually a long-term investment that is not taken lightly and is closely linked to the airline picture . However, the decision of a change like the i Introduction of trousers among female crew members it is usually a personal decision of the management based on criteria of convenience or opportunity", he adds to Traveler.es.
Makeup, yes or no. That is the question.
While it is true that each company has aesthetic codes, but shouldn't they leave behind sex stereotypes? Isn't it time for women to express themselves as they feel most comfortable at work?
Since the birth of airlines crew uniform it has always been quite strict, and although it has been a century since the first passenger flights, the changes have been minimal in this regard.
The rules for Emirates flight attendants . Cabin crew, for example, must wear a french bun , while for the face they say, verbatim on their website: "You should use concealer, foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush and lipstick, but without gloss." They do not forget the French manicure and heels.