Airlines / UA · Grooming
United Airlines — Appearance & Grooming
The most explicitly modernised of the US big three: United publishes an actual tattoo size rule, and its uniform pieces are selectable regardless of gender.
Grooming · United Airlines
- Hair
- Neat, clean and secure. United's updated standards removed the gendered length rule, so long hair is acceptable for any crew member provided it is tidy and clear of service.
- Make-up
- Optional for everyone. United's revised standards made make-up a choice rather than a requirement and permit it for any crew member regardless of gender.
- Facial hair
- United does not publish its facial-hair rule with job postings; the full standard is issued in training and neatly maintained is the operating expectation. Ask the recruiter if you wear a beard.
- Nails
- Neat, clean and safe for service. Nail polish is permitted for any crew member under the updated standards.
- Glasses & contacts
- Yes. Corrective eyewear is unrestricted; the requirement is corrected vision to standard.
- Piercings
- Earlobe piercings worn as discreet studs. Face, nose and tongue piercings are not part of the standard.
- Jewellery
- Conservative and safe for service — a watch, a wedding band, small earrings, plus the issued wings and badge.
- Tattoos in uniform
- United's rule is unusually concrete: a visible tattoo is acceptable if it is no larger than your employee badge and is not on the face, neck or hands. Anything bigger has to sit under the uniform, and the badge is literally the measuring tool.
- Headscarf
- United does not publish a standard headscarf piece. Religious accommodation is a federal requirement and United's uniform policy is among the more flexible in the US, so raise it with recruitment.
- Uniform
- The Tracy Reese collection rolled out from 2020-21 in United's blues, with garments selectable regardless of gender.
Grooming rules change more often than any other requirement. Verify them on the airline's official careers page before you buy anything or book a hair appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Can United flight attendants have visible tattoos?
Yes, within limits: a visible tattoo may be no larger than your employee badge, and nothing is allowed on the face, neck or hands. Larger pieces must be covered by the uniform.
Do United flight attendants have to wear make-up?
No. United's updated appearance standards made make-up optional and permit it for any crew member regardless of gender.
Does United allow nose piercings?
No. Earlobe studs are the accepted piercing; face, nose and tongue piercings are outside the standard. Confirm on United's careers page, since appearance rules there have been revised more than once.