Dressing attendants as Mile-High Barbies is just a last blast of sexism | Barbara Ellen
Flying might still be an adventure but can we not do it without the retro presentation?
How did it come to this – women required to produce a sick note because they’ve been struck down by… unsexiness? It seems that Norwegian Air requires female flight attendants to wear heels, or have a note from the doctor – other rules cover everything from makeup to false eyelashes.
How mortifying for Norway: in 2018, the country was rated second for equality, after Iceland, in the Global Gender Gap report. Norwegian politician Anette Trettebergstuen said: “1950 rang, and it wants its rulebook back.” Norwegian Air responded that flat shoes are worn in the cabin, there are also dress guidelines for male stewards, and other airlines have similar rules – but it must be aware that last month, Virgin ditched requirements for heels and makeup, with others following suit.