Flight attendant news reporter Mateusz Maszczynski flags a memo that Delta Air Lines sent out to prospective employees interviewing for flight attendant jobs. Candidates were told to wear “proper undergarments” to their interview – underwear should not be visible to staff.
The document, “Appearance Requirements Acknowledgment,” lays out interview expectations.
- No profanity
- No gum chewing
- In addition,
[F]ingernails must be clean, neat, and trimmed. Interview clothing must be “professional and fit properly,” and skirts mustn’t be too short.
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 out customers.
…To help ensure commitment to Delta’s brand and customer service we have created updated appearance requirements for your interview process.
If painted, nails must all be the same color. Neon, glitter, and attachments are verboten. Aftershave and perfume should only be “applied lightly.” Stark highlights in hair and unnatural shares aren’t permitted.
Contra most U.S. carriers – which do still maintain uniform standards – Delta still very much cares about the appearance their front line employees project of the company. They invest in striking uniforms, although the most recent iterations aren’t nearly as glamorous as past efforts. They won’t look kindly on starting an OnlyFans, either.
Last year British Airways insisted that cabin crew wear see-through blouses. Two years ago Pakistan International Airlines laid out a new underwear requirement for flight attendants. You would think this didn’t need to be said. In Pakistan.
Yet conservative Muslim countries sometimes exhibit the greatest extremes, like a Malaysian carrier demanding flight attendants remove their tops in interviews “to see if applicants had visible marks” as well as “bare their legs thigh-high.” In the U.S., though, it’s mostly anything goes… and that runs into conflict with corporate uniform standards.
When you’re interviewing for a job, though, it’s best to dress the part – and even beyond the part. They used to say dress for your next job. You should at least dress for the one that you want. Confusion, I think, comes into play when corporate HR-speak talks about ‘bringing your whole self to work.’ It is best to ignore that advice.
Waiting for the pro-visible underwear crowd to make their case….
Actually it would be better if none of these “requirements” were stated pre interview. It’s a marvelous way to determine which applicants have common sense.
I don’t remember the last time I saw a female Delta flight attendant that was attractive, unless you’re into cougars and grandmas. There are some older women that are elegant for being in their 50s and 60s. I bet they were very attractive in their 20s. Even the men — not that I swing that way — aren’t that attractive. Most of the men, straight or gay, are 10-15 lbs. overweight.
After years of being told to wear three masks and not leave the basement for a flight or anything else, common sense about appearance no longer is common. Just look at the low bar for video influencers’ appearance in upmarket cabin videos, to see how common-sense-challenged contemporary flight enthusiasts sadly are.
@FNT Delta Diamond – you may find more attractive FA’s on short-haul flights…these are relatively new hires. On long-haul flights, it’s all older FA’s, ’cause getting those assignments is based on seniority.
FNT Delta Diamond ; in addition to missing the point, you’re a triple threat!
1. A mysogenist
2. A homophobe
3. An ignoramus
Some decades ago, I worked briefly for a major airline in, what was then called, personnel. The pictures that some of the applicants sent with their profiles would have qualified for an OF account.
Just walk around a mall or business district at lunch. The overall dress standards have fallen off a cliff. Casual Fridays need dress minimums today.
I agree. Don’t publish anything and you can make the first cut at the front door.
Years ago, friend showed up for day 1 of Braniff pilot class wearing cowboy boots in Dallas. They gave him 3 hours to come back in “Business Attire”.
@BK: If I’m paying a $1,000 to fly first-class or $5,000 to fly business-class, it’s not too much to ask that the flight attendant (gay or straight, male or female) be visually attractive.
@FNT, I’d rather have one who’s personable and efficient. As long as they’re neatly groomed, who cares how attractive they are. That’s just creepy.
@FNT … +1 . It is frightening that Delta Needed to send out this memo . Imagine what they re dealing with : nose rings , Goth costumes , smells ?
I can’t believe this article was even published. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with tasteful dress codes
American air crew is in general hideous in every way including their attitude.
Wow, an airline that cares about modesty and decent dress. How refreshing.
FNT Delta Diamond…your statement says everything I need to know about you. I feel sorry for your mother, sister, wife and daughter. How fortunate I am that the men in my life are nothing like you.
@Alert: Probably hoochie mamas from Atlanta, Flint, and Detroit. If I owned an airline, I’d get visas for foreign flight attendants from the Philippines.
I flew American international and a domestic connection on Friday – both economy and first. The attendants were pleasant and professional, even had a sense of humor. As far as looks, I really don’t care, I’m not looking for a life partner. Even the TSA and CBP folks in Miami were nice. I find being pleasant to them generally pays off.
@FNT. You need to get your face lifted. Big butt reduced. Chest cut into 6 eye brows trimmed.
As a gay guy in first paying $10,000 I do not was some old senior fat bear with back hair had jowls and a mullet sitting with me. Go fly spirt
You are not gods gift to women and you can make a gay many go straight with your looks.
@FNT … +1 . I second the motion for the Filipinas . They are fine nurses , also . Clean , polite , and helpful .
Why is wearing underwear on Delta such a big deal? My daddy doesn’t when he’s sitting at his keyboard to awe you all with his opinion based facts about the world’s only PREMIERE airline!
Employers can legally set dress codes for employees, as the person is representing the company. Upon learning of the requirements, A candidate can then decide if it is a good fit for them.
TW: Casual misogyny and racism in comment section.
Turn back now, because this place is abysmal as usual.
Yet another missed opportunity to pander to your MAGA readers, Gary.
In this apocalyptic Biden economy, many people can’t afford underwear, especially those looking for work since the immigrants took their work (and their pets for dinner). So if that’s a requirement, it’s good to see a non-union employer like Delta being clear about expectations. You know the AFA would be having a fit if one of the other airlines tried to impose an underwear requirement. Yet another example of unions destroying fine businesses.
Let’s hope we can go back to the days of the previous president where just 4 short years ago, you could buy a new pair of underwear for a nickel, and this wasn’t an issue.
Just a sign of the times when employees in a customer facing job like this have to be told how to properly dress for work.
If they must be told these things they aren’t fit for the job. Good grief…
Seriously, they have to tell them to wear underwear? But, I guess that shouldn’t surprise me today. I had come from a very conserving career field, Funeral Service. An individual attending mortuary school came in to apply for a part-time position wearing a tank top. Just like I had started this reply with saying seriously. I did the same thing with him by saying, “Seriously, you came to an interview dressed like that”. I just tuned around and left the room. Evidently he got the hint, and left to.
I’ve been in many industries and this should never have been made public. I’m sure HR and public relations is having a field day with this. If their was an isolated issued it should have been resolved on an individual basis. Sending this message to your people and your customers and partners is really showing your true colors Delta. I would NEVER want to work for an organization like this. It’s a total embarrassment and its degrading. I live just outside of Atlanta and as of 2023 I no longer fly Delta for these reasons and many more. I heard horror stories from your employees, primarily your flight attendants and agents and failures at all levels when I flew with you and I was Diamond with Delta. For those employees that didn’t get hired, Delta did you a favor.
Judging from the foul stench and disheveled appearance of most Delta FAs I have seen, this memo is too little too late. Perhaps if they stopped hiring in Atlanta, they wouldn’t have to issue this memo.