Quite frankly, there are not many professions that bring more excitement and adventure than that of a flight attendant. Every year, thousands of people globally apply to become flight attendants with the hope of living a life full of travel and new experiences.
While the idea of being a flight attendant may seem glamorous, the reality is that it is a demanding and challenging profession. And like any other workplace, a plane has its own rules and regulations – and these rules are strictly enforced.
Since body art has pretty much become mainstream over the last decade or so, one of the most important rules for flight attendants is the tattoo policy.
While many airlines have started easing their restrictions on visible tattoos, some of them still run the “zero tattoo policy”.
If you’ve been considering applying for the job of cabin crew at Alaska Airlines, continue reading. In this article, we will look at the current tattoo policy in the airline to make sure your ink suits the latest guidelines so you can score the job.
Alaska Airlines Tattoo Policy
So, can you have tattoos as a flight attendant at Alaska Airlines?
While saying that the airline is lenient towards tattoos would be an overstatement, Alaska Airlines is definitely one of the most relaxed carriers when it comes to tattoo laws & regulations.
But it’s been only a year since the airline changed its tattoo policy (March 2022), so let’s take a look at the new guidelines.
The airline permits you to have a visible tattoo as long as it follows the “badge rule” which specifies that it can’t be larger than your uniform badge. That means the size of your visible ink can’t be larger than that of a credit card. However, this does not apply to tattoos on the face, neck, hands, or chest. Arms and legs are the only acceptable body parts. Each arm and leg may have one badge-sized tattoo, for a total of four.
Furthermore, if you have tattoos on your shoulders or any other body part that can be covered with the uniform, you are not required to get them removed.
As for the design and content of the tattoos, there are no specific guidelines from Alaska Airlines. However, under no conditions can any of the ink that follows the “badge rule” be offensive in any way as customers will be able to see it. It’s also not suitable on moral grounds, obviously.
Hopefully, your tattoos fit the acceptable criteria and you score the gig. Good luck!
More About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is one of the major airlines in the United States, headquartered in Seattle. It was founded in 1932 by McGee Airways and later changed to Alaska Airlines in 1944. The airline flies to around 115 destinations across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica.
Some of its most popular routes include flights from Seattle to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Anchorage. The airline has a fleet of around 150 aircraft and is a member of the Oneworld alliance.
If you want to learn more about Alaska Airlines or its current tattoo policy, visit their website or contact customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What airlines allow you to have tattoos?
So, you might be wondering which airlines allow tattoos for the cabin crew – in case you get knocked back by AA.
As far as US-based airlines are concerned, another two that have lately relaxed their tattoo policies are SkyWest and United Airlines. Both follow the same badge/credit card rule, allowing you to display small pieces of art.
Most other carriers, such as Frontier Airlines, are okay with tattoos as long as they can be hidden under the uniform.
There are also airlines such as Qatar Airways that err on the side of caution when it comes to ink due to religious reasons. In such extreme cases, a zero-tattoo policy is implemented, meaning body art isn’t accepted in any form or size – even if it can be hidden by the uniform.
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Is lying about tattoos as a flight attendant a good idea?
If you’re considering lying about your tattoos to get a job as a flight attendant, think again. Not only is it morally wrong, but if you’re caught (and that is more than possible, especially during medical exams), you will most likely be sent home. Airlines take their rules and regulations very seriously, and they do not tolerate dishonesty.
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Why can’t flight attendants have tattoos?
The main reason why some airlines don’t allow their flight attendants to have visible tattoos is that they want to present a certain image of professionalism and sophistication. This is especially important for international carriers, as they are often the face of the country they represent.
Another reason is that some people still see tattoos as something inappropriate or even dangerous, which is why some airlines prefer to err on the side of caution.
