'Wear proper undergarments': Delta Airlines' memo for flight attendants receives backlash

Delta Airlines’ new memo for flight attendants is receiving backlash online. The bizarre memo titled “Flight attendant hiring appearance requirements” outlines how flight attendants should look during the interview process, training and throughout their career. The memo's most surprising requirements include a mandate to "wear undergarments" and ensure they "aren't visible."

The airline recently shared a long list of “grooming, hair, jewellery, and clothing”, adding that it is “inclusive of, but not limited to the oldest operating US airline’s appearance requirements”.

The memo starts saying, ““Delta Flight Attendants spend the most time with our customers and are the face of our airline.”

“The customer service experience begins the moment a Flight Attendant puts on their uniform,” the document added.

List of some of the guidelines:

• Personal cleanliness and hygiene must always be maintained.
• Aftershave, cologne and perfume may be used if applied lightly.
• Eyelashes should appear natural avoiding extreme length and volume.
• Facial hair must be trimmed and neatly maintained.
• Fingernails must be clean, neat, trimmed and, if polished, chip-free. All nails must be the same color. No neon colors, multi-color, adornments, glitter, hand-painted designs or airbrushed nails permitted.
• Visible tattoos are not permitted and must be covered by clothing or waterproof make-up. Bandages are not suitable for coverage of tattoos at any time.
• Hair color must be a natural-looking hue. No stark highlights or unnatural shades.
• Hair touching or longer than the shoulder must be pulled completely back and secured away from the eyes, such as in a ponytail, bun, braid, etc. If hair is up (i.e., in a ponytail), and still extends past your mid-back, it must be pinned up.
• A single side-nose piercing with a pinhead stud is permitted. Gold, silver, white pearl, or clear diamond/diamond-like studs only. No other facial or visible body piercings are allowed.
• A maximum of two earrings per ear are permitted. Earrings may be gold, silver, white pearl, or clear diamond/diamond-like studs only and should be no larger than a dime. No hoop earrings.
• Ear stretching gauges are not permitted.
• Proper undergarments must be worn but must not be visible.
• Clothing must be professional and fit properly.
• Dresses and skirts should be at or below knee length.
• Shoes should be closed toe flats, heels or sling back. Athletic type shoes are not permitted.

The airlines also said that on the interview day, profanity, chewing gum and the use of phones or earbuds are not permitted.

“We will work with you to accommodate a specific manner of dress or physical appearance in keeping with religious beliefs or practices unless it causes a safety hazard or other undue burden on the company,” the memo also clarifies.