Jetblue Tattoo Policy in 2023 (Flight Attendants & Pilots)

Despite the growing acceptance of tattoos in the U.S. and around the world, there are still many industries that have strict policies against them.

Without a shadow of a doubt, aviation leads the pack.

If you’re a proud owner of visible tattoos and Jetblue, one of the most popular US airlines, is where you see your future career, you should probably stick with us for a moment as we dive into the current Jetblue tattoo policy.

So, can you have tattoos as a Jetblue flight attendant or even a pilot? Let’s find out.

Jetblue tattoo policy highlights

Jetblue Tattoo Policy – All You Need to Know

As things stand, Jetblue’s tattoo regulations are still one of the strictest in the US aviation sector.

All people who want to get hired by Jetblue must not have any visible ink while sporting the Jetblue uniform. The current policy doesn’t allow for makeup or band-aids to be used as a workaround.

Because the uniform is different for men and women, the airline has separate tattoo policies for each gender. Refer to the image below for a better understanding.

Jetblue tattoo restrictions

Current tattoo restrictions at Jetblue

As you can see, the restricted areas are a bit different for male and female crews.

Men aren’t allowed to have any tattoos on:

  • head
  • face
  • neck
  • hands

On top of the above, women additionally aren’t allowed any tattoos on their lower legs.

Inappropriate Tattoos

Meeting the visibility requirements is only half the battle.

Your tattoos also need to be free of any offensive or inappropriate content. This means that anything racist, sexist, violent, or otherwise discriminatory will not be tolerated – whether the uniform is being worn or not.

Jetblue flight assistant

Jetblue flight assistant in action

If you have any tattoos with such content, you will not be able to get a job at Jetblue, no matter how qualified you are.

Keep in mind that what may seem like an innocent tattoo to you could be interpreted differently by someone else. If you’re unsure whether your ink meets the company’s standards, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and consult with a Jetblue representative before applying for a job.

Long-Sleeves to the Rescue

Jetblue offers its employees shirts both with short and long sleeves. During the job interview, you can ask if you can have tattoos on your arm if you wear long-sleeved shirts at all times.

This is hardly comfortable, especially during the summer, but it’s still an option if you really want to work for the airline.

Do Any Airlines Let Flight Attendants Have Tattoos?

While most major airlines in the US have similar tattoo policies to Jetblue, there are a few that are a bit more lenient.

For example, United Airlines – one of Jetblue’s main competitors – allows its flight attendants to have small tattoos as long as they’re not bigger than the uniform badge (or credit card).

The same “badge rule” has been lately introduced to Alaska Airlines.

Another major US carrier, SkyWest, also allows for small and tasteful tattoos and evaluates them on a case-by-case basis.

Outside of the US, arguably the most progressive airline is Virgin Atlantic. After the 2022 policy update, the airline now allows its crew to have visible tattoos – as long as they’re tasteful.

While these airlines may be more accepting of tattoos, it’s important to note that they still have the right to change their policies at any time. So, if you’re dead set on working for a particular airline, it’s always best to check their latest tattoo policy before applying.

Why Do Airlines Care About Tattoos?

The short answer is – image.

Airlines, especially the big ones, are massive businesses that need to uphold a certain level of professionalism at all times. This is why they tend to be very strict when it comes to their employees’ appearance.

Tattoos, even if they’re small and tasteful, can still be seen as a bit unprofessional by some people. This is why most airlines prefer their crews to be tattoo-free.

Another reason why airlines may be hesitant to hire people with tattoos is that they could potentially offend passengers from certain cultures. In many Asian countries, for example, visible tattoos are still considered taboo.

So, if an airline is looking to expand its operations to such a market, it’s unlikely that it would hire anyone with visible ink – as it could turn off potential customers.

How Do Flight Attendants Cover Tattoos?

One of the most popular options is to use a tattoo concealer. This is a type of makeup that’s specifically designed to cover up ink.

If you don’t want to use makeup, another option is to wear long sleeves or pants – even if it’s hot outside. This is obviously not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.

Finally, some airlines may allow you to wear a band-aid over your tattoo. This, however, is usually only allowed for very small tattoos.