Reported 8 months ago
Many airlines, such as Delta Airlines in the US, have strict regulations that pilots cannot keep beards due to safety concerns. The risk arises from hindrances the beard may pose when donning emergency oxygen masks, affecting the seal's effectiveness, as highlighted by past studies. While US regulations do not explicitly require pilots to be clean-shaven, many airlines enforce this as an industry standard. The Federal Aviation Administration notes that facial hair could impact safety, urging proper sealing of oxygen masks in emergencies. Passengers are not subjected to similar rules, but dense facial hair could potentially reduce oxygen supply, posing serious risks. Airlines often mandate pilots to shave before flights to ensure proper seal of oxygen masks.
Source: YAHOO