Turkey has banned flight attendants at its national airline from undergoing plastic surgery that alters their faces, even though the country is one of the world’s biggest centres for cosmetic procedures.
Turkish Airlines announced the move on 2nd March in Istanbul, Turkey, where the carrier introduced new appearance rules prohibiting Botox, facial fillers and other cosmetic procedures that significantly change facial features for its flight attendants.
The airline reportedly issued an official internal notice to cabin crews outlining stricter grooming standards covering both cosmetic procedures and everyday presentation while on duty.
Photo shows the illustrative image of Istanbul Airport, undated. It is the largest of two international airports serving Istanbul, Turkey. Note: Picture is a screenshot from a video (Newsflash)
Under the new policy, aesthetic treatments that noticeably alter facial features — including Botox injections and dermal fillers — are now banned for cabin staff.
The rules also extend to makeup, with flight attendants instructed to avoid heavy or attention-grabbing cosmetics and instead maintain a simple and natural appearance.
Staff have been told to use lighter makeup tones and present a more understated look while representing the airline.
The decision is notable because Turkey has become one of the world’s leading destinations for cosmetic procedures, attracting hundreds of thousands of international patients every year seeking treatments ranging from hair transplants and rhinoplasty to Botox and fillers.
Airlines worldwide have increasingly tightened grooming rules in recent years as cabin crew are seen as key representatives of a carrier’s brand image.
Industry insiders say companies often prefer a uniform and natural appearance for crew members in order to maintain a consistent public image.
Some aviation experts say excessive Botox or facial fillers can limit natural facial movement, which may make it harder for cabin crew to communicate clearly through facial expressions during interactions with passengers.
Others point to the growing impact of social media, where passengers frequently photograph and film cabin crew during flights, meaning individual staff members can quickly become viral representations of an airline.
Airlines therefore often seek to avoid appearances that could attract unusual attention or distract from the professional image they want to project.
Turkish Airlines said compliance with the new appearance rules will be monitored through its existing uniform and grooming inspections carried out within the company.
The updated policy was formally communicated to cabin crews through an internal directive outlining the new standards for appearance while on duty.
(Aloysius Fernandes / Newsflash)