South Korea-based airline Korean Air is considering allowing cabin crew to wear sneakers or other functional footwear during in-flight duties, as the airline reviews a dress code policy that has required heeled shoes for 57 years. The story was first reported by the Chosun Daily.
The airline is conducting the review through consultations with its labor union. “We are working on introducing work shoes designed with safety and functionality in mind for in-flight service,” a Korean Air official told the Korea JoongAng Daily.
Previously, Korean Air flight attendants were required to wear heels measuring 3 to 5 centimeters (1.18 to 1.9 inches) in height. If implemented, the changes are expected to apply to Asiana Airlines cabin crew as well, as the carrier is now a subsidiary of Korean Air.
The Korea JoongAng Daily also reported that dress codes for cabin crew in Korea, particularly for female attendants, have traditionally covered details such as skirt length, earring size and material, nail color, hairstyle, and makeup.
According to the report, low-cost carriers have led the change in footwear. Jeju Air provided sneakers to all cabin crew in February, while Aero K Airlines adopted sneakers as official work shoes at its launch in 2020.
The publication added that cabin crew have long called for reforms, arguing they are not “flowers to be looked at but are working people.”
