"Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines Issues Strict Dress Code For Flight Attendants

Delta Air Lines has issued a firm directive to both current and prospective flight attendants: wear underwear. This clear message was part of a recent two-page memo outlining stringent appearance requirements for interviews, training and career advancement. The airline’s guidelines cover everything from grooming and hair to jewelry and clothing, with an unusual emphasis on undergarments. According to the memo, "proper undergarments" are mandatory but must remain invisible.

"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 memorable moments for our customers. The customer service experience begins the moment a Flight Attendant puts on their uniform," the memo stated.

The company’s dress code is stringent, with specific instructions on how to maintain a professional image:

- Hair must be naturally colored without bold highlights or artificial shades.
- Long hair must be pulled back and secured above the shoulders, and if it extends past the mid-back, it must be pinned up.
- Eyelashes should appear natural—no dramatic extensions or bold looks.
- Nails are to remain simple and subtle—no neon colors, glitter, or multi-color hand-painted designs.
- Tattoos must be covered, but using bandages to hide them is not allowed.
- A single nose piercing is permitted, limited to studs made of gold, silver, white pearl, or clear diamond/diamond-like materials.
- For other piercings, only two earrings per ear are allowed, no larger than a dime, and hoop earrings are prohibited.
- No visible body piercings beyond a small nose stud.
 
When it comes to attire, Delta is equally clear: dresses and skirts should be knee-length or longer, and athletic shoes are prohibited. Flight attendants must wear closed-toe flats, heels, or sling-back shoes. For those in the male uniform, a tie is required, paired with button-collared dress shirts. Additionally, the airline has a zero-tolerance policy for profanity, chewing gum and using phones or earbuds during interviews.

But is this level of control over appearance necessary? 

In the memo’s closing, Delta assured employees that they would work to accommodate personal or religious beliefs related to dress or appearance, provided it does not create a safety hazard or an undue burden on the company. Does this offer enough flexibility for a diverse workforce? What does Delta consider an "undue burden"? These are important questions as companies navigate the line between maintaining a brand image and supporting employee individuality.