AirAsia updates uniform policy, female crew allowed to wear hijab starting Ramadan 2026

 Beginning Ramadan 2026, female crew members across its network will be allowed to wear the hijab while on duty. The shift, once limited to routes like Jeddah where local regulations require it, will now extend airline-wide, a change driven directly by employee voices. 

For AirAsia, it’s more than a uniform update; it’s a statement about identity, respect, and belonging. “This latest update reflects AirAsia’s growth as a global airline with a workforce that mirrors the communities and cultures we connect every day,” said Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group.

“Our uniforms have always represented professionalism and comfort, this evolution empowers our people to represent AirAsia in ways aligned with their beliefs.”

AirAsia’s female cabin crew will continue wearing the airline’s signature red uniform, with the addition of a professionally tailored hijab and pants option, a design already used on select Middle Eastern routes.

The airline says this ensures comfort, safety, and visual consistency across all destinations. The update also marks a milestone in AirAsia’s culture of listening. 

According to Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the new policy began as a direct request from cabin crew themselves. “When our crew raised this with management, it was important for us to listen,” Fernandes said. 

“Respecting different views and beliefs is not only part of our culture, it’s what has shaped our success. We grow by evolving together.” 

AirAsia’s Group Head of Cabin Crew, Suhaila Hassan, emphasized that the design process is being shaped collaboratively with employees. “Our Allstars come from many backgrounds and beliefs,” she said. 

“This policy reflects that dynamic spirit. We’ll work closely with our crew and aim to roll this out during Ramadan in 2026.” The airline now joins a growing list of global carriers modernizing their uniform policies.

British Airways introduced a hijab option last year, while Virgin Atlantic updated its rules to let employees choose whichever uniform best fits their identity. 

For AirAsia, the update signals a broader shift emerging across aviation, one where uniforms are no longer just about branding, but about representation, respect, and the freedom for employees to show up authentically at 30,000 feet.