Air India Issues New Grooming Guidelines For All Female And Male Crew Members

The Tata group is expanding its footprint in India's aviation sector. It is determined to eradicate the 'chalta hai' attitude in its newly acquired and formerly state-owned flag carrier Air India.

Air India released a 40-page circular on Thursday outlining grooming criteria for all crew members. The circular requires men to use hair gel and women to use foundation and concealers that match their skin tone.

Air India Issues Grooming Guidelines

For Female Crew

• Air India has ordered female crew members to fully adhere to the most recent uniform guidelines.
• Management has discontinued apron-based uniforms. The black blazer with the Indo-western uniform has also been withdrawn and should not be worn on board.
• Calf-length stockings (sheer and skin-toned) are required for flight duties in both a saree and an Indo-western uniform.
• The company-issued black cardigan can be worn for boarding and deplaning (only during the winter months) as well as inflight during quiet periods on LH and ULH flights all year.
• Never wear a cardigan and a waistcoat together. During service, cardigans are not authorised.
• According to Air India, foundation and concealers that match the skin tone are required.

For all flying responsibilities

"The crew must wear full make-up following the new uniform requirements, using only the company shade card. Eyeshadow, lipstick, nail polish, and hair shade cards must be used in accordance with the uniform. Personal colours are not authorised in these four products. Colors of nail polish to match uniform - red and corals for red uniform, pink with blue uniform and nude, pearly white and French manicure for both uniforms "the rules stated.

Things Are Permitted And Not Permitted

Earrings- only round gold and diamond studs with no pattern or adornment are acceptable. Pearls are not permitted. Only a little bindi (less than 0.5 cm in size) is permitted with a saree. Large bindis are not tolerated. The female crew is permitted to wear two rings of 1 cm width, one in each hand. 20. Only one thin gold or silver bracelet with no design or stones may be worn. (No bracelets, please).

About Hair Colour

According to the airline, grey hair must be coloured in a natural shade or with a business hair colour shade card for ladies.

Blonde hair colour and streaks are definitely prohibited. Hair must be neatly groomed and styled following the company's hair specifications. Extremely high top knots and low buns that rest on the neck are definitely prohibited. The bun must be created in the crown's centre. A doughnut is required to make a round bun. With buns, only a thin sheer invisible net must be utilised.

Thick nets are not allowed. Only four medium-sized black tic-tac or bobby pins should be utilised. The pins must all be the same size and kind. Short open hair must be blow-dried or permanently smoothed.

Tata group advised Air India's cabin crew to wear minimal jewellery after taking over the airline in January to avoid flight delays.

For Male Crew

• All cabins require black uniform jackets to be worn throughout the flight (At boarding, servicing, and deplaning).
• Individual tie pins are not permitted. If a tie pin is not provided, the crew may wear a tie without it.
• The outfit must be worn with only black calf-length socks with no logos. Men must keep a clean short hairstyle with a side parting (no volume).
•  Male crew members with receding hairlines and male balding patches must maintain a clean shaved head or bald appearance. 

Suggested Reading - Amitabh Bachchan Lawsuit: Delhi HC Passes Interim Restraining Order

Air India directed all crew members to immediately implement the aforesaid consistent regulations. However, airline sources say it isn't applicable because thousands of crew members will need time to learn the new standards.

Although the latest Air India circular does not explain why they wish to modify the uniform. Several airline crew members have stated that "Air India is the country's only airline that has been serving the world for decades. Its crew members' representations and photographs do not meet international standards. The new administration wishes to alter the public's image of flyers."