When I started my career as a flight attendant at 22 in 2012, the beauty rules for women immediately surprised me.
I worked for the now-grounded Kyiv-based Ukraine International Airlines, the nation’s former flag carrier, from 2012 to 2021. From the minute I submitted my application, it was clear that appearances were a major part of the airline’s image.
The upper age limit for new applicants was a strict 27. Supervisors checked candidates’ bodies for tattoos and scars during the initial medical exam. For those polished enough to pass, keeping up with the various grooming standards was almost a second full-time job.
My hair, nails, makeup, and uniform all had to meet strict requirements, and I had to keep my body slim and my skin glowing. I could have faced disciplinary action for not keeping up.
UIA ceased operations and entered bankruptcy after Russia’s 2022 invasion. I now live in Ontario as a journalist, having left my career during the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking back, the appearance rules sound wild, but 10 years ago, they were still the reality for many commercial cabin crew — standards that had existed for decades, as flight attendants are often considered the face of the airline.
Beauty expectations remain part of the airline industry. Some carriers still maintain conservative rules, but I’m happy to see many global airlines, especially in the US and the EU, updating their policies.
For example, Ukraine’s SkyUp Airlines began allowing female crew members to wear pants and sneakers in 2021. Virgin Atlantic has allowed visible tattoos since 2022, and Alaska Airlines removed gender-based dress requirements for cabin crew the same year.
Here are all the rules the female crew at my airline had to follow.
My hair had to be in a tight bun, and I had to wear heels
Before every flight, the entire crew gathered in the briefing room. While we reviewed safety procedures and medical equipment, there was always an unspoken second agenda: an appearance check.
Supervisors evaluated whether everyone met the airline’s grooming standards before we were allowed near the aircraft.
My airline uniform included a navy skirt, blouse, jacket, nude tights, black heels, an ascot, and distinctive yellow leather gloves for welcoming passengers.
During the winter season, our uniform would include pants and a sweater, but we were never allowed to wear sneakers under any circumstances.
I often flew to places like Bangkok, Beijing, and New York. Spending up to 12 hours on my feet at high altitude for years put immense pressure on my body, but my airline still expected my posture to remain upright, elegant, and graceful.
Every detail of my appearance beyond the uniform — from my hair to my accessories — was also expected to look perfect and professional.
Heavy jewelry was strictly forbidden; we were allowed at most two simple rings and small stud earrings. Large hoop earrings or dangling necklaces and bracelets could catch on emergency slides or seats.
Courtesy of Alona Vasylieva
However, one piece of equipment was mandatory: a watch. It had to meet strict style and size requirements and was also an important safety tool during any possible emergency procedures.
Nail colors were also restricted to subtle nudes or a classic French manicure. Chipped polish was considered unacceptable.
For makeup, my routine included foundation, blush, mascara, eyebrow pencil, occasional eyeliner, highlighter, and bright-red lipstick.
Keeping my long hair in place was a constant battle before early morning sign-ins, trying to pin every stray strand into a compliant bun.
My hairstyle also had to be sturdy enough to withstand the turbulence and severe humidity changes during long-haul flights.
Eventually, I could no longer handle the daily struggle and chopped my hair into a sleek bob that could be quickly styled to meet the requirements without the extra stress.
I spent time and money maintaining my looks outside work
The hardest part of the job was maintaining that polished appearance.
I was expected to maintain a slim body at all times. For me, that meant constant dieting, tracking what I ate, and exercising regularly, both during layovers and at home. I avoided the high-sodium airplane meals and ate only food I brought myself.
The pressure extended to my skincare and makeup. My skin was my biggest problem. After developing severe breakouts during back-to-back trips, I took a course in self-makeup to learn new techniques.
To keep up during the busiest seasons, when I was home only for short periods because my schedules were so packed, I booked beauty appointments between flights.
Courtesy of Alona Vasylieva
For example, if I chipped a nail on a long-haul flight, I’d book a manicure in the layover city before my next flight.
Similarly, when my regular aesthetician in Kyiv was fully booked during the summer, I would book facial treatments during layovers in Bangkok to revive my skin after hours in dry airplane cabin air.
Those appointments, especially the ones in pricier Kyiv, added up, and I wouldn’t have spent the money otherwise.
Still, being a flight attendant taught me resilience.
I am grateful for the experience because it forced me to pay closer attention to my nutrition, skincare, and overall well-being.
But after years of meeting an airline’s definition of “perfect,” I eventually learned to set my own standard for feeling confident and looking good.
Ukraine International Airlines did not respond to a request for comment.
