Why Air Hostesses Wear High Heels? The Surprising Story Behind This Practice

For anyone who has flown, the sight of air hostesses in their well-groomed uniforms and impeccable makeup is familiar. But one detail that often stands out are their high heels. Have you ever wondered why flight attendants wear them?

Recently, a discussion on social media platforms like Quora shed light on this topic, with several users offering insights. One user, William Wood, shared that between 1966 and 1976, Pacific South West Airlines had its flight attendants worw high heels with mini skirts. This was a deliberate move to attract male passengers, as men were the dominant travellers for business purposes during that period.

Others echoed this sentiment, noting that flight attendants’ attire was designed to appeal to male travellers.

According to the Skylark Institute, the requirement to wear high heels depends on the airline. Historically, women were made to wear heels to complement formal uniforms, making them appear taller, slimmer, and more stylish. However, many airlines have since realized how uncomfortable and painful it can be to wear heels for long periods. As a result, several companies now allow their flight attendants to wear flats or more comfortable footwear.

One example is the Chinese airline, Air Travel, which recently made headlines by allowing its flight attendants to forgo high heels, prioritizing their comfort during flights, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

This shift reflects a growing trend toward more practical and employee-friendly dress codes in the aviation industry.