Can Flight Attendants Wear Hijabs?

We all wanted to be flight attendants at some point. It’s kind of a phase, like when you wanted to be a teacher back in school or wanted to study medicine when a nice doctor gave you a lollipop after your appointment. At some point, you probably loved how flight attendants look and wanted to be one of them as well.

Well, now that you can apply for the job, you need to study the requirements first. Each airline has different rules. Some airlines only allow the country’s citizens to apply, while other airlines accept cabin crew from different countries.

Likewise, some airlines mandate wearing a skirt, while others allow a pair of trousers. But what about hijab?

Can flight attendants wear hijab? Let’s see about that!

Can Flight Attendants Wear Hijabs?

Flight attendants can wear hijab if the airline they’re working for allows it. It’s the same as wearing trousers.

Some airlines allow it, while some airlines don’t. Granted, most major airlines don’t allow air hostesses to wear the hijab. They prefer flight attendants to show off that elegant hair updo without wearing a scarf to cover it.

Some airlines, like Emirates and Etihad, allow ground staff who work in the airport to wear the hijab, but not the flight attendants.

Take a glimpse of our elegant modal and satin hijab collections.

Which Airlines Allow Hijabs for Flight Attendants?

While only a few airlines allow hijab for flight attendants, they’re still worth mentioning, so you know where to apply if you want to pursue a career as a flight attendant.

British Airways

This might come as a surprise, but British Airways don’t have rules against hijab when it comes to flight attendants. The company’s Twitter account clarified that recently in a reply.

So, if you’re British or live in the country, you might as well try your luck. In fact, it’s one of the convenient choices for hijabis because the flight attendants are allowed to wear trousers instead of short skirts.

Also Read: who is allowed to see a woman without a hijab?

Saudi Arabia Airlines

To be honest, Saudi Arabia Airlines is probably the best company you can apply for if you’re a hijabi. It’s one of the few Middle Eastern companies that allow hijab for air hostesses. Not only that, but ever since the company started hiring Saudi women, they changed their uniform rules.

Now, there’s a modest outfit that includes a tall dress that stops below your knees and a pair of loose trousers underneath. It’s one of the best flight attendant uniforms for a hijabi, to say the least.

Egyptair

Aside from Saudi Arabia Airlines, Egyptair is one of the few Middle Eastern companies that allow for hijabi flight attendants. Since 2012, the company’s law allows for the hijab among flight attendants’ uniforms.

Egyptair also allows air hostesses to wear trousers, which are often more convenient for hijabis than short skirts.

Air Canada

Air Canada allows flight attendants to wear hijab as long as it matches the rest of the uniform. They have a few guidelines that are disclosed to the flight attendants once they’re hired, but they’re generally not against the hijab.

Also Read: can non-muslims wear hijabs?

Garuda Indonesia

The Indonesian international airline, Garuda Indonesia, allows for hijabi flight attendants. It’s said that the company mandates Muslim flight attendants to wear the hijab on duty, even if they’re not hijabis in the first place. 

Non-Muslims aren’t mandated to do so, though.

Air Atlanta Iceland

Air Atlanta Iceland is one of the few European airlines that allow for hijabi flight attendants. That may be because the airline charters flight to and from Mecca during the Hajj season. So, having a hijabi cabin crew is of common courtesy.

Which Airlines Don’t Allow Hijabs for Flight Attendants?

It may come as a surprise, but a lot of Muslim countries have airlines that don’t allow flight attendants to wear hijab. The list includes Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, and Etihad Airways. 

These companies may allow their employees to wear the hijab if they’re among the ground staff. Additionally, they may hire hijabis, but only if they’re willing to take their hijab off while on duty.

Must Read: do you have to wear hijab when reading Quran?

The cabin crew isn’t allowed to alter the standard uniform, which only includes a hat and in the case of Emirates Airlines, a floating scarf.

On top of that, these companies only allow skirts for flight attendants, which is inconvenient for hijabis either way.

Emirates Airlines, in particular, are pretty strict when it comes to hiring air hostesses. They have tight rules regarding looks, and their beauty standards are higher than most airlines.

Final Thoughts

So, can flight attendants wear hijab? 

Not for all airlines—that’s for sure. There aren’t many options that’ll allow hijabi flight attendants, but there are still some decent options to choose from. The best airline to apply for would be Saudi Arabia Airlines because of its modest outfits. You can also try British Airways or Air Atlanta Iceland if you’re a European citizen.

Other than that, it’s better to make sure first if the airline you’re applying for allows the hijab. You may be surprised!