Qantas, the Australian flag carrier, is considering a ban on beards for all of its pilots, citing safety concerns related to the effectiveness of oxygen masks in emergencies. Beards are already forbidden among pilots on Qantas and Jetstar mainline services, but the airline is now planning to extend the requirement to its regional arm, QantasLink.
The proposal follows findings from British defence consultancy QinetiQ, which suggested that facial hair could compromise the seal of oxygen masks and potentially limit their protection and effectiveness.
In contrast, a 2024 scientific study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University involving 24 participants with varying levels of facial hair found “no evidence that facial hair caused mask leaks, hypoxia, or chemicals to affect performance”.
Qantas opened a formal consultation from 15 July to 12 August to gather feedback from pilots on the proposed policy. However, the report and proposed policy have seen backlash from the Australian Federation of Air Pilots (AFAP), saying that the regulation is “already outdated and based on obsolete science.” The union noted that other major carriers, including Virgin Australia, Emirates, Etihad, and Cathay Pacific, allow tidily kept beards among their crews.
AFAP also pointed out that the Royal Australian Air Force scrapped its own beard ban in late 2022, as long as beards were kept neat. The federation criticised the proposal, saying it showed a lack of “proper consultation with employees” and failed to demonstrate “respect for diverse workforces.”
Professor John French from Embry-Riddle University’s research argued that the QinetiQ report relies on outdated military or industrial settings and overlooks improvements in oxygen mask technology. He also noted that wearing glasses can pose a more substantial risk and is more likely to interfere with the oxygen mask seal than facial hair.
In response to the criticism, Qantas asked QinetiQ to review the Embry-Riddle study and is currently considering feedback from its pilots. A final decision on the policy is expected in the coming weeks.
