A long-standing tradition at Korean Air is poised for a significant update: after 57 years, the airline may soon end its mandatory high-heeled shoe policy for flight attendants.
Reports from local media indicate that Korean Air is actively reviewing its cabin crew dress code. The proposed change would permit flight attendants to wear sneakers or other types of comfortable, functional footwear, aiming to significantly enhance their well-being and performance during demanding long shifts.
Currently, the airline’s policy mandates that flight attendants wear heels ranging from 3 to 5 centimeters in height throughout their duty periods.
Should this progressive policy be approved, its reach would extend beyond Korean Air to include Asiana Airlines, particularly as the two carriers anticipate a merger by the end of the year. This potential change could impact an estimated 10,000 cabin crew professionals across both major airlines.
Korean Air is currently conducting thorough labor-management consultations to finalize the proposed dress code adjustments.
Korean Air has historically maintained stringent appearance standards for its cabin staff. Interestingly, this potential footwear policy update follows another recent relaxation: just a few months prior, the airline began allowing flight attendants to wear glasses at their discretion.
This movement towards more practical and comfortable uniforms is not exclusive to Korean Air within the aviation industry.
For example, Jeju Air proactively introduced sneakers for all its cabin crew in February. The airline cited dual objectives: significantly improving working conditions for its staff and bolstering their effectiveness in critical emergency response situations.
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