'Wear proper undergarments': Airlines memo to flight attendants kicks up row

Delta Air Lines, believed to be America's oldest operating airline, has landed itself in the eye of a storm, thanks to a memo on the 'appearance requirements' of its flight attendants.

A two-page memo titled “Flight attendant hiring appearance requirements” outlines the expectations of the Delta Air Lines from the flight attendants, in interviews and in-flight service. From guidelines on grooming and dressing for aspiring and current flight attendants, the memo has a say in every aspect. But, a line on 'proper undergarments' seems to have irked most netizens.

Calling the flight attendants the "face of the airlines", the memo urges them to be passionate about enhancing the customer's experience, which begins the moment a flight attendant puts on their uniform.

It goes on to add that the airlines will 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".

Delta Air Lines also shared specific guidelines for the “interview process, training and throughout the career as a flight attendant for one of the oldest operating airlines in the world”. Here are a few of them, including the one on undergarments:

• Hair must be naturally coloured, without bold highlights or artificial shades.

• For longer hair, it must be pulled back and secured above the shoulders. If it extends past the mid-back, it needs to be pinned up.

• Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and well-maintained.

• Eyelashes should look natural.

• Tattoos must be covered.

• Nails should be properly trimmed. If polished, a single, subtle colour is permitted with no adornments, glitter, or hand-painted designs. No neon colours, multi-colour, glitter, or hand-painted designs are allowed.

• Only a single nose piercing is permitted, and the allowed studs include gold, silver, white pearl, or clear diamond/diamond-like.

• No other visible body piercings are allowed.

• Dresses and skirts should be at or below the knee, and button-collared dress shirts must be paired with a tie.

• Proper undergarments must be worn and should remain completely invisible.

• Footwear should consist of closed-toe flats, heels, or sling-backs.

The memo also says that on interview day, aspiring flight attendants should abstain from chewing gum, profanity, using phones and ear buds.