Airline forces all female flight attendants to wear high heels

Young woman arriving in a new city. Travel. Moving concept.

A European airline has introduced regulations requiring its women flight attendants wear high heels to work.

As of this month, compulsory high heels for all women cabin crew are among some 20 pages worth of dress code regulations implemented by international airline Norwegian Air.

Norwegian Air is among the largest low-cost carriers in the world, flying to more than 150 destinations in the world, and transports tens of millions of passengers per year.

Among the requirements of its dress code, women must wear high heels at all times – a regulation that has drawn international ire – with flight attendants only exempt from its policy if they carry medical certificates.

Norway’s Socialist Left Party (SV) leader of the women’s political committee, Ingrid Hødnebø, said the airline was caught in the “Mad Men universe”.

“My immediate reaction is that it is almost comical that this is a problem in 2019,” Hødnebø said to local Norwegian news provider Verdens Gang (VG). “While the rest of the community has moved on, Norwegian is stuck in the ‘Mad Men’ universe from the 50s/60s.”

“A rule that requires women to wear high heels is direct discrimination.”

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Gender Equality Frida Blomgren backed Hødnebø, saying Norwegian Air’s new regulations are “incredibly old-fashioned”.

Astrid Mannion-Gibson senior communications advisor at Norwegian Air told VG the regulations had not been a problem internally.

“Norway’s flying crew must follow the company’s uniform regulations. The uniform is neutral and discreet and yes, it is true that different demands are made on men and women when it comes to makeup, hair etc. This is quite common with other airlines,” Mannion-Gibson said.

“Regarding [VG’s] question about heel, this is primarily to prevent the cabin crew from going with so-called ballerina shoes that are not to be recommended for health reasons,” Mannion-Gibson said.

The announcement comes just over a month after international airline Virgin Atlantic made the decision to relax its dress-code standards, removing a longstanding requirement for its women crew members to wear cosmetics to work.

Atlantic will also allow its women flight attendants the option of wearing trousers instead of skirts on flights – an option that Virgin’s counterpart in Australia has had for almost two decades.

Flight attendants on board Virgin Australia aircraft have had the option to wear trousers since the airline began flying as Virgin Blue in 2000.

“We want our cabin crew to be as comfortable as possible in themselves and while on board, considering the amount of time they spend travelling between different destinations. Since our Virgin Blue days, our female cabin crew have had the option to wear trousers,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson said.

“We are also looking at our uniform style guide so that we can maintain a modern aesthetic for our crew, and ensure that our dress requirements are always culturally and professionally appropriate.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

New Australian Airports Association board members announced

Members of the Australian Airports Association (AAA) have elected two new directors as it continues to strengthen the national aviation sector. AAA chair Kym Meys has congratulated Jonathan Willsher (Ballarat Airport) and welcomed back Chris Mills (Sunshine Coast Airport and Coffs Harbour Airport) to the AAA Board following director elections by its membership. “Both these […]

  • Hotels

The Hilton brand debuts in the Republic of Moldova

The international Hilton brand is set to debut in the Republic of Moldova with the opening of its first hotel in Chisinau, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s HORECA industry. The endeavour provides tourists with another option for world-class accommodations, excellence in standards and premium services. “Hilton’s entry into the Moldovan market is […]

  • Destinations
  • Sustainability
  • Tourism

Singapore Tourism Board accelerates its sustainability journey

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled two pioneering initiatives to bolster tourism and support the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The first is the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Attraction Criteria, the world’s first global standard specifically designed for attractions. The second is the MICE Venue Sustainability Playbook, a comprehensive guide to enhancing green practices […]

  • Cruise

Viking takes delivery of its newest ship, the Viking Vela

Viking has announced it has taken delivery of its newest ocean ship, the Viking Vela, when it was presented at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Vela has 499 staterooms that hosts 998 guests. The ship joins the company’s growing fleet of award-winning ocean vessels and […]