Glo is your AI-powered cabin crew coach. She learns your background, remembers your experiences, and personally guides you through interview prep. Think of her as a mentor who’s available 24/7, never gets tired of your questions, and genuinely wants to see you get your wings.

How is this different from free YouTube videos?

YouTube can teach you what questions to expect. Glo lets you actually practice answering them—with personalized feedback on how to improve. It’s the difference between watching someone swim and getting in the pool yourself.

Will this help for my specific airline?

We have deep expertise in Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines—Glo knows exactly what these airlines look for and how to help you stand out. Dreaming of a different airline? Glo can absolutely help you prepare.

I’ve been rejected before. Can you help?

Absolutely. Most successful cabin crew faced rejection before getting their wings. Our CV analysis shows you exactly what to fix, and our interview practice helps you give answers that actually land.

Is practicing with Glo actually useful?

Think of Glo as a patient interview coach available 24/7. She remembers your background, learns your story, and gives you honest feedback. You can practice the same question 50 times until your answer feels natural.

Do I need to look a certain way to get hired?

No. Airlines hire real people of all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds. What matters is your attitude, your communication skills, and whether you can show them who you really are.

How long until I’m ready for an assessment day?

That depends on where you’re starting from. Some aspirants feel ready after a week of focused practice. Others take a month. You can practice as much as you need until you feel confident.

Can I track my progress?

Yes! Your Glowings profile tracks your entire cabin crew journey. See your practice sessions, milestones, improvements, and achievements all in one place.

Can I use Glowings after I get hired?

Absolutely. Glo is with you for your entire journey—not just the application. Use her during training when you need to prep for assessments.

Policy Guide

8 min read

Cabin Crew Tattoo Policy by Airline

Tattoos are the single most asked-about topic in cabin crew recruitment. The rules vary hugely between airlines: from Qatar Airways rejecting any tattoo anywhere on the body, to Virgin Atlantic celebrating visible ink. This guide covers every major airline so you know exactly where you stand before you apply.

TLDR: The Quick Answer

Gulf airlines (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad) are the strictest. Qatar Airways has zero tolerance for any tattoo anywhere. Emirates and Etihad allow hidden tattoos only. Western airlines are moving towards acceptance: British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, and Delta all now allow visible tattoos. Budget European carriers are mixed.

Strictest: Qatar Airways (zero tolerance)

Most relaxed: Virgin Atlantic, BA, Delta

Tattoo policies by airline

Here is the detailed breakdown for every major airline that aspiring cabin crew apply to. Policies are current as of 2026.

Airline	Policy	Visible Tattoos?
Emirates	No visible tattoos in uniform	No
Qatar Airways	Zero tolerance, any location	No (any tattoo)
Etihad	No visible tattoos in uniform	No
Singapore Airlines	No visible tattoos	No
British Airways	Visible tattoos allowed since 2022	Yes
Virgin Atlantic	Visible tattoos allowed, pioneered change	Yes
Ryanair	No visible tattoos in uniform	No
EasyJet	Small visible tattoos allowed, some restrictions	Limited
United Airlines	Visible tattoos now allowed	Yes
Delta	Visible tattoos now allowed	Yes

Emirates

Emirates does not allow tattoos that are visible when wearing the cabin crew uniform. The uniform includes short sleeves and, for female crew, a skirt that falls below the knee. This means tattoos on the forearms, hands, neck, face, behind the ears, and lower legs are not permitted. Small, well-hidden tattoos on the upper arm, back, torso, or upper thigh are generally acceptable as long as they cannot be seen in any uniform configuration. Emirates checks for tattoos during the medical examination.

Full Emirates guide →

Qatar Airways

Strictest Policy

Qatar Airways has the strictest tattoo policy in the airline industry. Any tattoo, anywhere on the body, regardless of size or visibility, results in automatic rejection. This is non-negotiable and is checked during the medical examination where candidates are thoroughly inspected. This policy applies to all cabin crew positions. If you have any tattoo and are set on Qatar Airways, the only option is complete laser removal before applying.

Full Qatar Airways guide →

Etihad

Etihad follows a similar policy to Emirates. No tattoos that are visible when wearing the cabin crew uniform. Hidden tattoos on the torso, upper arms (above the short sleeve line), upper thighs, and back are generally acceptable. The key distinction from Qatar Airways is that Etihad does not prohibit hidden tattoos. Tattoos are checked during the medical examination.

Full Etihad guide →

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines does not allow visible tattoos for cabin crew. The iconic Singapore Girl uniform, the sarong kebaya, exposes the forearms and lower legs, making these areas off-limits for tattoos. Hidden tattoos are generally acceptable. The policy is similar to Emirates and Etihad in practice.

British Airways

Tattoos Allowed

British Airways changed its policy in 2022 to allow visible tattoos for cabin crew. This was a significant shift for one of the world's largest airlines and reflected broader societal acceptance of body art in professional settings. Tattoos on the face and neck may still be subject to individual assessment, but forearm and hand tattoos are now accepted.

Virgin Atlantic

Pioneer

Virgin Atlantic was among the first major airlines to allow visible tattoos, leading the industry shift towards acceptance. Their policy reflects the brand's inclusive values. Visible tattoos on arms, legs, and other areas are accepted. Offensive or inappropriate tattoo content may still be flagged, but the airline takes a progressive approach overall.

Ryanair

Ryanair does not allow visible tattoos when wearing the cabin crew uniform. Despite being a budget carrier, their grooming standards mirror the traditional airline approach. Hidden tattoos are acceptable.

EasyJet

EasyJet takes a middle ground. Small visible tattoos are allowed, but there are restrictions on size and content. Large, prominent tattoos or those with offensive imagery are not permitted. This makes EasyJet one of the more flexible budget carriers.

United AirlinesAllowed

United Airlines updated its appearance standards to allow visible tattoos for cabin crew. This reflects the broader trend among US carriers towards more inclusive grooming policies. Tattoos with offensive content are still prohibited.

DeltaAllowed

Delta also now allows visible tattoos for flight attendants as part of updated grooming standards. Like United, they prohibit offensive content but otherwise take a permissive approach to body art.

What counts as “visible”?

For airlines that prohibit visible tattoos, this is the critical question. “Visible” means anything that can be seen when wearing the full cabin crew uniform, including during service.

Areas Typically Checked

Forearms and wrists (short-sleeve uniform)
Hands and fingers
Neck and behind the ears
Face and jawline
Ankles and feet (for female crew in skirts)
Lower legs below the knee
Upper chest if neckline is open

Areas Usually Safe (Hidden)

Upper arms above the short-sleeve line
Back and shoulder blades
Chest (below the uniform neckline)
Torso, stomach, and ribcage
Upper thighs
Hips
Feet sole (rarely checked)

Important: The exact areas depend on the uniform design. Emirates female crew wear a pencil skirt below the knee and short-sleeve blouse. Male crew wear trousers and short-sleeve shirt. Consider every possible uniform configuration including during galley service where sleeves may ride up.

Can I cover tattoos with makeup?

This is one of the most common questions in cabin crew communities. The answer is: it depends, and it is risky.

Some candidates have successfully used heavy-coverage makeup products to conceal small tattoos during assessments and medical exams. Products frequently mentioned in cabin crew forums include Dermablend, KVD Good Apple foundation, and full-coverage concealers designed for scar and tattoo coverage.

Why this is risky

Medical exams may require you to remove makeup from specific areas
Sweat, water, and long working hours can cause coverage to fade
Colleagues or supervisors may notice inconsistencies over time
If discovered after hiring, it can lead to termination for dishonesty
Qatar Airways checks the entire body during medical, making concealment nearly impossible

The honest advice: if your target airline does not allow tattoos and yours would be visible, consider laser removal rather than relying on makeup. It eliminates the risk entirely and gives you peace of mind throughout the application process and your career.

Have a specific tattoo question?

Glo knows the tattoo policies for every airline in detail. Describe your tattoo and which airline you are targeting, and she will tell you honestly whether it will be an issue.

Ask Glo

Tattoo removal options

If you are serious about cabin crew at a strict airline and have a tattoo that would disqualify you, laser removal is the most reliable path forward.

6-12

Sessions required

6-18

Months timeline

12+

Months before applying

Start removal at least 12 months before you plan to apply to allow full healing
Black ink removes fastest. Colour tattoos (especially green, blue, and yellow) require more sessions
Sessions are spaced 6-8 weeks apart to allow healing between treatments
Costs range from $200-500 per session, depending on size and location
Complete removal may not be possible for all tattoos, but significant fading is usually achievable
Consult a dermatologist or specialist laser clinic for a realistic timeline and cost estimate
Some clinics offer payment plans specifically for aspiring cabin crew

Getting tattoos after joining

This is a common question from people who plan to get inked after they have already been hired.

If your airline prohibits visible tattoos, that rule applies throughout your employment, not just at hiring. Getting a new visible tattoo after joining can result in disciplinary action, including termination. This is clearly stated in crew handbooks at Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Singapore Airlines.

That said, many cabin crew members do get new tattoos in hidden areas during their career. Common choices include the ribcage, upper thigh, back, and shoulder blade. Crew members often get inked during layovers in cities with reputable tattoo studios. As long as the tattoo cannot be seen in any uniform configuration, this is generally not an issue in practice.

The bottom line: Hidden tattoos after joining are common and widely accepted in practice. Visible tattoos are a career risk at strict airlines. Know your uniform and plan placement carefully.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I be cabin crew if I have tattoos?

Yes, but it depends on the airline and the location of your tattoos. Airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United, and Delta now allow visible tattoos. Gulf airlines like Emirates and Etihad only allow tattoos that are not visible when wearing the uniform. Qatar Airways has a zero-tolerance policy and does not accept any tattoos at all, regardless of location.

Does Qatar Airways really reject candidates with any tattoo?

Yes. Qatar Airways has a strict zero-tolerance policy. Any tattoo anywhere on the body, whether visible or hidden, will result in automatic rejection during the medical examination. This is one of the strictest policies in the airline industry and has been consistently enforced.

Can I cover my tattoos with makeup for the assessment?

Some airlines may accept makeup coverage, but this is risky. Products like Dermablend and KVD Good Apple are popular in cabin crew communities for coverage. However, many airlines specifically check for tattoos during the medical examination, where you may be asked to remove makeup. Relying on makeup coverage is not a guaranteed strategy, especially for Gulf airlines.

What areas of the body are checked for tattoos?

Airlines that prohibit visible tattoos check all areas that would be exposed when wearing the uniform. This includes forearms, hands, wrists, neck, face, behind the ears, ankles, and feet. For female crew wearing skirts, the legs below the knee are also checked. The exact areas depend on the specific uniform design of each airline.

How long does tattoo removal take?

Laser tattoo removal typically requires 6 to 12 sessions spread over 6 to 18 months, depending on the size, colour, and depth of the tattoo. You should plan to start removal at least 12 months before you intend to apply if complete removal is needed. Costs range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars depending on the tattoo size and number of sessions required.

Can I get a tattoo after joining an airline?

If your airline prohibits visible tattoos, you cannot get new visible ones after joining. Many cabin crew members do get tattoos in hidden areas (such as the ribcage, upper thigh, or back) during layovers or leave. However, if a newly visible tattoo is discovered, it can lead to disciplinary action or termination at strict airlines.

Still have questions about tattoo policies?