Singapore Airlines has announced the phased introduction of new uniform footwear for its female flight attendants, effective January 2027. The airline will replace its traditional open-toed sandals, iconic to the Singapore Girl branding, with closed-toe wedge shoes designed for enhanced safety and comfort.
The new shoes, developed in collaboration with local footwear brand PAZZION, feature a genuine leather construction with lambskin insoles and incorporate the airline’s signature batik print, matched according to crew rank. The design aims to reduce safety risks such as spill hazards and falling objects, addressing concerns raised by past incidents.
The original sandals, created by French designer Pierre Balmain in the 1970s, have been a symbol of SIA’s airline identity, famously allowing the painted red toenails of flight attendants to be seen. These shoes saw only minor updates over the decades and were linked historically to safety improvements following the 2000 Taiwan crash that resulted in 83 fatalities.
SIA emphasized that the transition to the new footwear will be implemented gradually and that male crew members will continue to wear their existing black leather shoes. The airline stated this change aligns with efforts to ensure uniformity, safety, and operational practicality across the cabin crew.
