The short answer
Piercings and visible scars follow the same underlying rule as visible tattoos: it's about what's visible in the standard uniform, not about the existence of a piercing or a scar on its own. Neither disqualifies you outright. What matters is whether it's covered, minimal, and consistent with the uniform grooming standard while you're in role.
This guide focuses specifically on piercings and scars — for the fuller explanation of how "visible" is assessed and airline-by-airline nuance, see the tattoos guide, since recruiters apply the same test to all three.
Piercings
- Ear piercings: Generally accepted — most airlines allow one or two simple stud or small hoop earrings per ear as part of standard grooming. Large hoops, dangling earrings, or multiple piercings per ear beyond the airline's stated limit are usually not accepted for the uniformed role.
- Facial piercings (nose, eyebrow, lip, etc.): Almost universally required to be removed while in uniform, including during interviews and assessment days. A small clear retainer is sometimes an option outside of work, but is not typically considered acceptable for the uniformed role itself.
- Other visible piercings (e.g. visible below a short-sleeve or open-neck uniform): follow the same visibility test as tattoos — covered by the standard uniform is fine, visible generally is not.
Practical advice: remove facial piercings for interviews, open days, and assessment days entirely, rather than trying to conceal them. A healed piercing can be reinserted later; a visibly-covered one at interview reads the same way a concealed tattoo does — as a risk the airline would rather not take on.
Visible scars
Scars are treated differently from tattoos and piercings in one important way: they're not a styling choice, and reputable airlines generally do not disqualify a candidate for a scar on its own — including facial scars. What tends to matter, if it comes up at all, is:
- Whether it affects your ability to perform safety duties (extremely rare for it to)
- Whether it's already fully healed by the time you'd start flying
- That you can speak about it plainly and matter-of-factly if a recruiter asks, rather than appearing defensive
If you're concerned about a specific scar and a specific airline's policy, the honest and most reliable path is to ask the airline's recruitment team directly, either at an open day or via their careers contact — this is not a question airlines are looking to catch candidates out on, and most experienced recruiters have fielded it before.
Frequently asked questions
Do piercings disqualify you from becoming cabin crew? No — simple ear piercings are generally accepted within most airlines' grooming standards. Facial piercings are usually required to be removed while in uniform, but that's a grooming requirement, not a disqualification from applying.
Can I wear a nose stud to a cabin crew interview? Generally no — most airlines expect facial piercings, including nose studs, removed for interviews, open days, and on-duty appearance. Reinsert it once you've confirmed the specific airline's off-duty policy, if any.
Will a visible scar stop me getting hired as cabin crew? On its own, no — reputable airlines assess a visible scar for whether it affects safety-duty performance, which is rare, not as a grooming or cosmetic issue. If you're unsure about a specific case, ask the airline's recruitment team directly.
How many earrings can cabin crew wear? Most airlines allow one, sometimes two, simple stud or small hoop earrings per ear as part of the standard uniform. Check the specific airline's grooming policy, since exact limits vary.