Delta Air Lines recently issued a detailed memo to current and prospective flight attendants, underscoring the importance of maintaining a polished appearance. This two-page document highlights various grooming standards, with a particular focus on the discreet use of “proper undergarments.”

Key expectations

The memo emphasizes that flight attendants are the primary representatives of the airline, playing a crucial role in customer engagement. “Delta Flight Attendants spend the most time with our customers and are the face of our airline,” the memo states. It further outlines the expectation for attendants to deliver a welcoming and memorable experience, beginning with their uniform.

”Delta Flight Attendants spend the most time with our customers and are the face of our airline. They must be passionate about enhancing each customer’s experience while embodying the Delta brand. A Delta Flight Attendant is expected to deliver a Welcoming, Elevated, and Caring experience while creating moments that matter to our customers. The customer service experience begins the moment a Flight Attendant puts on their uniform.  The Delta uniform represents always putting safety first, pride in the Delta culture, and demonstrates a genuine graciousness that will be remembered by our customers,” the memo read. 

Grooming and dress code

• Hair must be naturally colored, without bold highlights or artificial shades.
• For longer hair, it must be pulled back and secured above the shoulders. If it extends past the mid-back, it needs to be pinned up.
• Eyelashes should look natural
• When it comes to nails, they must be simple and subtle – no neon colours, multi-colour, glitter, or hand-painted designs are allowed
• Tattoos must be covered, but bandages aren’t an acceptable solution
• Only a single nose piercing is permitted, and the allowed studs include gold, silver, white pearl, or clear diamond/diamond-like 
• In terms of other piercings, only two earrings per ear are allowed, and they must be smaller than a dime and not hoops
• Body piercings, other than the nose, are not allowed to be visible.
• The airline has also set strict conduct rules for interview days, prohibiting profanity, gum chewing, and the use of phones or earbuds.

Clothing

• Proper undergarments must be worn but must not be visible.
• Clothing must be professional and fit properly.
• Dresses and skirts should be at or below knee length.
• Shoes should be closed-toe flats, heels, or slingbacks. Athletic-type shoes are not permitted.
• Tie is required with button-collared dress shirts for those who choose to wear the male
  uniform.

In concluding the memo, Delta assured, “We will work with you to accommodate a specific manner of dress or physical appearance in keeping with religious beliefs or practices unless it causes a safety hazard or other undue burden on the company.”

This new directive reflects Delta’s commitment to upholding its brand image while fostering a professional environment for both employees and passengers.