Looking for shoes that flight attendants can wear? Then you’re definitely in the right place because we’ll show you some of the best airline-approved shoes!
At A Glance: Best Shoes For Flight Attendants
Flight attendants must wear shoes that fulfill requirements set by the airline that employs them, and if they’re not provided shoes with their uniform, they must find suitable shoes on their own. That can be a bit tricky, especially when you’re not sure which travel shoes are comfortable enough that you can wear them on 8+ hour flights. So, keep reading to see our pick for the best (and most comfortable) shoes for flight attendants!
![]() | Best Flight Attendant Shoes With Strap
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![]() | Best Flight Attendant Heels
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![]() | Best Loafers
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![]() | Best Airline Shoes For Male Flight Attendants
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The Dansko Fawna shoes are a good option if you like wearing Mary Jane’s. They’re cute and stylish, but also very comfortable thanks to the molded EVA footbed. The shoes meet the requirements of most airlines, except for those that require flight attendants to wear only flat shoes.
One thing to note is that the footbed is removable, so you can replace it with something with more support if you need to. While these shoes might offer plenty of arch support for someone who doesn’t have any major issues with their feet, if you’re dealing with high arches or other foot issues, you will most likely need to put in a better insole.
These female flight attendant shoes have a 1.5” heel, so if you need shoes that have a small heel but are still very comfortable, the Mary Janes are certainly up to the task. They’re also entirely black without any adornments, but also available in a few different colors, in case you want to get an extra pair to wear off the job.
The sole of these shoes is flexible and made from rubber, so it offers a good amount of slip resistance. You shouldn’t slip and slide on smooth airport floors, and you will have all the traction you need inside the cabin.
If you are required to wear heeled shoes in the cabin, the Clarks Emslie Lulin pump is a good option. The shoes have a 2” heel, but they’re just as comfortable as flats. It’s a block heel so you shouldn’t struggle to retain your balance, plus it’s low enough to not put excessive pressure on your tendons.
These shoes meet the in-cabin requirements of most airlines – they’re black and business-like, without any adornments on the sides or soles. They have closed toes and sides, and they’re made from high-quality genuine leather.
The insole is by far the best thing about these comfortable flight attendant shoes. It’s an Ortholite insole, which provides lots of cushioning and support during long days on the job. And in case you find that the insole is not supportive enough for your needs, you can always remove it and insert a different one.
Another great thing about these Clarks is that they’re available in three widths – narrow, standard, and wide. Plus they’re available in both full and half sizes, so you shouldn’t struggle at all to get a pair that fits you perfectly.
Clarks Emslie Summit loafer is an excellent option if you need heeled shoes and you’re not a fan of the Mary Jane style. These loafers are very comfortable thanks to the supportive Ortholite insoles, which provide the wearer with lots of cushioning in their every step.
These female flight attendant shoes boast full-grain leather uppers that are very durable, so you should be able to wear them for years to come. The block heel is approximately 1.5”, so it’s comfortable enough even for longer flights.
The main downside of these shoes is that they won’t fit everyone, despite the stretchy uppers. If you have high arches or wide feet and you usually struggle to find shoes you can squeeze your feet into, I doubt you’ll be able to put these on since they are quite tight.
Also, the Ortholite insole is glued down to the sole, so it’s not intended to be removable. But you could probably pry it off the shoes with a little force, in case you find that these just aren’t supportive enough for your needs.
ECCO is a brand famous for its high-quality leather shoes and these dress pumps are no exception. They’re very well made and durable, plus incredibly comfortable. The shoes are heeled (approximately 1.75”), but it’s a small block heel that feels just as comfortable as a flat shoe.
That’s because the pumps have an aerated and padded footbed that offers plenty of support and cushioning. The sole of the shoes is flexible and it will bend naturally with your foot while you are walking. It’s also a rubber outsole with texture on the heel and below the toes, so you will have plenty of traction on smooth airport floors.
Size variety is the main issue with these shoes. They’re not available in full and half sizes, and they come in only one width. They’re either going to fit you fine or they won’t, and there’s not much you can do to ensure they fit well. This is a problem because the pumps can’t be secured to your foot in any way, so if the size is even a little too big, your feet will slip out of them, especially if you’re wearing hosiery with your uniform.
The Rockport slip-on shoes are an excellent option for male flight attendants. These are very lightweight and comfortable, so you can easily spend an entire day in them and not end up with painful feet. The shoes offer plenty of support, but their insoles are removable so you can always swap them out if you end up needing something even more supportive.
These shoes are made from leather, so they’re both sleek and very durable. Their soles are flexible, made from rubber, and textured, so you will have all the grip and traction you need on slippery airport floors.
Also, the Rockport men’s shoes have an antimicrobial lining, meaning that these shouldn’t smell even after you’ve worn them for an entire day. Another great thing about these slip-on shoes is that they are available in three widths – regular, wide, and extra wide. You can pick them up in full and half sizes, so getting a pair that fits perfectly shouldn’t be a challenge.
Just one note – if your feet are narrow, you might want to try these in half a size smaller, since they are not available in a narrow fit.
ECCO shoes are always a good option when you’re looking for something durable and comfortable. They feature leather uppers with laces, which makes them an excellent choice for most people because you won’t struggle to fit your feet inside the shoes.
These shoes feature a moisture-wicking lining, so they will stay fresh and odor-free even after you’ve worn them for hours during your shift. The insole is made by ECCO, and it is very comfortable and supportive. The outsole of the shoes is made from polyurethane and it is textured, for good grip and traction on smooth and slippery floors.
One downside of these shoes is the lack of size variety. They are not available in full and half sizes, plus they’re made only in one (standard) width. The good news is that their insoles are removable, so you can always swap them out for something that will make the shoes fit you well.
The Clarks Tilden Cap shoes are sleek, stylish, professional, and very comfortable. They’re made from full-grain leather and they’re incredibly lightweight, so they will feel great on your feet even during long-haul flights.
These shoes have a comfortable Ortholite footbed, which offers lots of cushioning and arch and heel support. They also feature a thermoplastic rubber outsole with texture, so you will have plenty of traction both in the cabin and at the airport.
The uppers of the shoes are laced, so it should be pretty easy to squeeze your feet inside. Also, there are tiny stretchy panels on the uppers, which make these shoes a bit easier to put on. The insoles of the shoes are removable – they are lightly glued, but you can easily take them out, in case you want to use something more supportive.
The size variety of these Clarks shoes is excellent – they’re available in both full and half sizes, and you can choose from wide and standard widths.
Comfort is the main thing you should look for in flight attendant shoes, especially for long-haul flights. You also need to make sure that the shoes fulfill all the requirements that the airline has in place, otherwise, you might be reprimanded for wearing an inappropriate uniform.
For many flight attendants, it’s also important that their shoes look beautiful. Just because they have to wear something that might not be their personal style, doesn’t mean that they want to wear something they deem ugly. So, it’s also important to look for shoes you personally like, otherwise, you’ll be a little sad every time you look down at your feet in the cabin.
Additionally, durability is another thing to look for in cabin crew shoes. It’s better to spend more money on a very durable pair that will last you years than to have to repurchase cabin shoes every few months. Especially if the airline provides a shoe allowance, and even more so if the shoes that you wear in the cabin are not your personal style.
For female flight attendants, I would recommend the Dansko Fawna shoes, if you’re okay wearing Mary Janes. They are very comfortable and supportive thanks to the EVA footbed and offer plenty of traction with their textured rubber outsoles. The shoes meet the requirements of most airlines, plus the Mary Jane strap means that there’s no way your feet will accidentally slip out of these.
The Clarks Tilden Cap shoes are the best option for male flight attendants. The full-grain leather uppers are extremely durable, plus easy to put on thanks to the laces and stretchy inserts. The shoes have comfortable, supportive, and removable insoles, as well as textured outsoles. And they’re available in a variety of different sizes and widths, so it should be easy to get a pair that fits just right.
Every airline has its own requirements for shoes that flight attendants have to wear, but in most cases, it is black flats or shoes with very low heels. While some airlines might require that the female cabin crew shoes are heeled, most have some sort of restriction on the heel height and don’t allow anything higher than 3”. Some airlines require flight attendants to wear red or navy blue shoes, but black is by far the most commonly requested color.
In addition to the color, the inflight shoes usually have to be plain, meaning no branding or any type of design on them. They need to have closed toes, heels, and sides and have a hard sole without any adornments. The shoes should also be made from leather – genuine leather, patent leather, and eco-leather are all fine.
Some airlines allow female flight attendants to wear Mary Jane-style pumps, but as long as they’re an appropriate height. Athletic shoes, wedges, clogs, and anything that is deemed “not business-like” is generally prohibited in the cabin.
One thing to note is that airlines often allow flight attendants to wear one type of show at the airport, but a different shoe in the cabin. While you might be permitted to wear boots while getting to and from the aircraft, you will be expected to change into adequate cabin shoes when you’re on the plane.
Pilots and male flight attendants wear socks, and they usually wear compression socks that help regulate blood flow in the air. Flight attendants are at a high risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, so most will wear compression socks as a precaution.
Female flight attendants, on the other hand, often can’t wear proper socks. Their uniforms are usually skirts, and they are required to wear stockings or pantyhose with them. But compression stockings and pantyhose exist as well, and female flight attendants often choose those over basic stockings/pantyhose.
That depends on the airline. Some airlines have a minimal heel requirement for cabin shoes that the female staff wears, while others require all the female cabin crew to wear flats. If you’re unsure what is expected from you, it’s best to contact the airline you’re flying with and ask what type of shoes are required.
Airlines that require female flight attendants to wear high heel shoes will usually have a restriction for the heel height. This is because flight attendants need to be able to keep their balance during turbulence, which is a lot easier to do in flats than in 6” heels.
Another thing to note is that many airlines will not allow female flight attendants to wear stilettos because the thin heels can puncture tiny holes in the airplane floorboards.