‘No more beauty duty’: China airline allows flight attendants to ditch high heels
- Airline in China introduces flat shoe policy in bid to enhance cabin crew health, passenger safety
A domestic airline in China is making headlines by allowing women flight attendants to forgo high heels in an unprecedented move aimed at “reducing the burden” on staff.
On August 5, Air Travel, an airline based in Hunan province, central China, announced on its official WeChat account that it has abolished the requirement for flight attendants to wear shoes with high heels during flights.
The company said the decision to allow women staff to wear flat shoes was designed to balance professional image, cabin safety and employee health.
“Traditionally, high heels were part of the required uniform. However, extended wear can cause physical discomfort and, in certain situations, flat shoes enhance stability and safety. It reflects our commitment to both professional needs and passenger safety,” the airline said.
Staff told Hangzhou Daily that the initiative aimed to “reduce burden” on employees.
“Flight attendants are allowed to skip high heels during all of their duties, including boarding and using passenger lifts and jet bridges.”