AirAsia has announced that female cabin crew are now allowed to wear a hijab as part of their uniform. The headscarf has been specially designed to match the style and branding of the airline. And they are not the only ones. More and more airlines that allow hijab for cabin crew are adapting their uniform policies to reflect cultural and religious diversity. In this article, I outline which airlines allow their cabin crew to wear a hijab.
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Airlines that allow hijab for cabin crew
In 2018, Indonesian airline Citilink decided to add a hijab to its uniform options. Internal research showed that out of 750 female employees, around 185 wanted to wear a hijab at work. To ensure visual consistency, the airline designed a hijab that perfectly matched the color palette and style of the uniform.
Amal – one of the airlines where wearing a hijab is mandatory
At Amal Airlines, part of Malaysia Airlines, female cabin crew are required to wear a hijab on board. The airline operates special flights for Muslim pilgrims traveling on religious journeys.
Pakistan International Airlines
At Pakistan International Airlines, a scarf is a standard part of the uniform. Female crew members can choose whether to wear it loosely around the neck or use it to partially or fully cover their hair.
Sriwijaya Air and the hijab flight attendant
Since 2016, female cabin crew at Sriwijaya Air have been allowed to wear a hijab. It is optional, but those who choose to wear one receive a matching headscarf from the airline.
Hijab options for cabin crew at Saudia
Although the official Saudia uniform includes a head covering worn along the side of the head, many Muslims do not consider this a hijab that meets religious guidelines. Female cabin crew are therefore allowed to wear an alternative form of hijab, as shown in the image above.
EgyptAir allows flight attendant to choose
At EgyptAir, wearing a hijab is not mandatory, but it is permitted. Cabin crew who wish to do so typically use the scarf that is otherwise worn around the neck.
Pastel-colored hijabs at Royal Brunei
The hijab worn by Royal Brunei cabin crew is one of my personal favorites. Not only does the fabric complement the uniform perfectly, but the airline also offers several soft pastel shades that work beautifully together.
Red hijab for Lion Air flight attendant
At Lion Air, the hijab color has been matched to the trousers, creating a cohesive and well-balanced uniform look.
Hijab flight attendant at Trigana Air
Similar to Lion Air, the hijab worn by Trigana Air cabin crew matches the color of the trousers. Simple, but elegant.
Iran Air – one of the airlines where wearing a hijab is not optional
For female cabin crew at Iran Air, wearing a hijab is not optional but a standard part of the uniform.
Pelita Air’s minimalist hijab
Pelita Air has chosen a plain hijab in a color that complements the uniform. The result is a clean and understated look.
Hijab allowed only for ground staff at Malaysia Airlines
While cabin crew at Malaysia Airlines are not permitted to wear a hijab, this is allowed for ground staff. This likely relates to the airline’s long-standing cabin crew uniform design, which the company prefers not to alter.
Optional hijab at Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air was founded in 2024, and the Saudi airline immediately included a hijab as part of its uniform package. Wearing it is optional for female cabin crew.
More airlines that allow hijab for cabin crew
In addition to the airlines listed above, several other carriers also allow hijab for cabin crew. For example, easyJet permits cabin crew to wear their own hijab, as long as it is black, grey, or light grey. However, the airline does not allow prints or patterns.
At Oman Air, female cabin crew wear a scarf that wraps around the head and attaches to the hat. However, most Muslim employees do not consider this a religious hijab. According to an airline employee, the company only permits wearing a traditional hijab during Ramadan.
Meanwhile, airlines such as Maldivian, Flynas, SalamAir, British Airways, and Garuda Indonesia also allow cabin crew to wear a hijab if they choose to do so.
Overall, the increasing number of airlines that allow hijab for cabin crew shows how airline uniform policies continue to evolve. As a result, more airlines are adapting their dress codes to reflect cultural and religious diversity. In fact, many smaller carriers likely allow this as well, even if they do not always communicate these policies publicly.
Kind regards,
Aileen
Last update: 26/06/2026
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Hi Aileen! This is such an incredibly helpful and inclusive resource. I especially appreciated your mention of Muslim cabin crew women hijab guide—it’s so empowering to see more carriers embracing diversity in their uniforms. At Wazi Empire, we believe that professional style and modesty should always go hand-in-hand, so seeing these barriers break down is wonderful. Thank you for shining a light on these opportunities for Muslim women in aviation!