Although some men, especially in Western countries, like to grow beards, many airlines prohibit male pilots from having beards while on duty, making it rare to see bearded pilots flying planes. So, why do such regulations exist?
According to a report by Thrillist, many airlines have banned male pilots from growing beards based on safety considerations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States does not have a specific prohibition.
A spokesperson for the FAA told the website that the agency does not mandate that pilots must shave their beards, but many airlines have policies requiring pilots to be clean-shaven or have minimal facial hair to ensure that oxygen masks can fit tightly to their faces when needed.
“We require that oxygen masks work as intended, and airlines may take further action to require pilots to shave or keep minimal facial hair to ensure compliance with this requirement,” the spokesperson said.
While the FAA does not have formal regulations regarding pilots’ facial hair, most airlines have chosen their own beard policies based on a notice issued by the agency in 1987. This notice addressed how beards could affect the efficiency of oxygen mask usage.
The study found that people with beards had a leak rate of between 16% and 67% when using oxygen masks, leading to insufficient oxygen reaching the lungs. Crew members who need to move around frequently would increase their breathing rate and risk of oxygen deficiency, exacerbating this safety issue.
The notice concluded that “crew members with beards should be aware that facial hair can reduce the efficiency of oxygen masks.” Additionally, individuals with beards often struggle to quickly don masks or achieve an effective seal when using face masks.
Despite the lack of explicit FAA regulations on pilots’ beards, airlines have the discretion to establish relevant rules citing safety concerns.
Delta Air Lines has detailed facial hair policies for pilots. For example, pilots can have sideburns but they must not extend below the middle of the ear. Similarly, pilots can have a small goatee, but it must be neat and not extend beyond the corners of the mouth.
However, full beards are taboo, even if it’s just some facial hair covering the chin or cheeks. This restriction applies when pilots are on duty in the cockpit, in the jump seat, or during any pilot training.
A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines confirmed to Thrillist that the airline’s facial hair policy is based on the need to “maintain a good seal when using oxygen masks in emergency situations.”
Likewise, American Airlines also requires pilots to be clean-shaven for the same reasons. A spokesperson for the company told Thrillist, “We do not allow pilots with facial hair on duty. This is actually a safety measure. Safety is one of the top priorities in our industry.”
Few airlines in the United States reportedly allow pilots to have beards while on duty, such as Hawaiian Airlines, which does not require pilots to shave.