Qantas has overhauled the dress code for flight attendants, removing the long-standing requirement for girls to wear makeup and high heels, while allowing men to grow their hair long and even wear pigtails.
An Australian airline has announced changes to its dress code for the primary time in 10 years – sparking online allegations that the Australian company has bowed to an “awake” crowd.
Qantas, based in Sydney, said it was abolishing the “male” and “female” categories of uniforms altogether.
Unions representing flight attendants have lobbied the airline to make uniforms “more comfortable and practical” for employees.
“Our iconic uniforms are loved world wide – and that does not change.”
![Qantas Airways introduces new gender-neutral uniforms while reviewing the dress code for flight attendants.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012632404.jpg?w=1024)
![The airlines are going to get rid of them](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012632297.jpg?w=1024)
![Qantas will no longer require flight attendants to wear high heels or makeup. Miranda Kerr is seen above modeling Qantas uniforms in 2013.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012632293.jpg?w=735)
“Today, our employees can select whether or not to wear makeup, flat shoes and high boots are in fashion, and strict watch size rules are outdated,” the airline said.
Tattoos must still be concealed and hosiery have to be worn with a dress or skirt, although all staff are actually allowed to wear makeup and the identical kind of jewelry.
Clarifications of the rules were also made to meet the needs of individuals with curly hair or rows of corn, in addition to staff with cultural or religious preferences.
“These changes will make wearing our uniform more comfortable and practical for all of our employees, including people of various body types and cultural backgrounds,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
On Twitter, social media users reviewed the brand new guidelines.
“Yes, it is important today to signal your solidarity with the awakening church,” one Twitter user commented.
One other Twitter user wrote that the changes were an example of “woke up madness”.
One commenter on Twitter promised: “I’m just blown away. Never fly Qantas again.”
![Qantas has so far followed strict dress codes for its stewards.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000012632300.jpg?w=1024)
Qantas is the most recent airline to announce that it is going to allow flight attendants to change their appearance in a way that suits their individual lifestyle and preferences.
Last month, United Airlines announced it could give flight attendants the power to print their personal pronouns on staff wings and name tags.
The change will probably be implemented later this yr.
“This latest feature gives our employees the chance to have a good time their years with our airline while identifying themselves in a way that they feel is most appropriate,” United said.
![Qantas, along with other airlines such as United and Virgin Atlantic, is reviewing the dress code for flight attendants.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/NYPICHPDPICT000010468394.jpg?w=1024)
Last yr, UK-based Virgin Atlantic began allowing its stewards to wear any uniform, no matter gender.
Regional carrier WestJet introduced gender-neutral uniforms and abolished the “male” and “female” categories.
In 2019, Air Canada announced that its flight crews would no longer greet passengers as “ladies and gentlemen”, as a substitute opting to use the gender-neutral term “everyone”.
In 2021, Lufthansa, the German carrier, announced an identical policy change.