A thousand feet up in the sky, moving from one point to another- feels awesome, right? Well, for beginner, enthusiastic flight attendants. However, for those who have been at it for quite a while, there are some dress code challenges-one of them being shoes.
Most airlines are strict when it comes to what cabin crew should wear. This is because uniforms are a part of most commercial airlines. So expected your choices to be a little limited. But before a million ideas run into your mind, remember you will be attending to passengers, and on a bad day, that could mean spending a considerable amount of time on your feet.
With that realization in mind, you can see why it pays to consider the best flight attendant shoes. As adept shoe experts, we have taken our time to research some of the most comfortable and stylish shoes flight attendants would be happy to do. For gentlemen, please check out our guide on the best shoes for pilots.
Without wasting a second, let’s cruise on to the review section.
Table of Contents
Best Shoes for Flight Attendants 2022
If you are looking to restock your shelves with flight attendant shoes, here are some ideal choices to think about:
1. Franco Sarto Women’s Bocca Loafer
Most people are used to cabin crew being extremely beautiful and proper. What they don’t know is that the job can get so burdensome. This is why the first and most comfortable shoe in this review is Franco Sarto Women’s Bocca Loafer.
Believe it or not, there will be days when you don’t find sufficient time to sit down. The best part about this loafer is that it’s a slip-on. When your feet get too hot, painful, or sweaty, you can slide out of them and back in within a second when you get the call of duty.
Construction-wise, Franco Sarto Women’s Bocca Loafer comes with a gentle calf leather upper. This minimizes rubbing and chaffing. You also get a square toe design that is roomier than pumps. Additionally, the chunky stacked heel magnifies your beauty and boldness so you can always feel good about yourself (and this makes you even more welcoming to passengers.)
Features
- Smooth calfskin overlay
- Apron-toe seam
- Chunky stacked heel
- Tonal stitching
- Cushioned insole
- Crepe textured rubber outsole
- Square toe design
Pros:
- Versatile for other casual and formal duties
- Roomier toe end
- Comfortable and smooth calf leather
- Easy on and off
- Affordable price point
Cons:
- No major quality flaws
Franco Sarto Women’s Bocca Loafer is for those who are looking for better comfort. This shoe doesn’t squeeze the toes together and can be easily put on and off. But here is the best reason; it’s one of the most top-rated flight attendant shoes.
2. Clarks Women’s Emslie Lulin Pump
Another shoe for the bold and beautiful flight attendants worth splashing bucks on is Clarks Women’s Emslie Lulin Pump. Graceful in design and bears a supple leather and textile lining to give your feet the TLC (tender loving care) they deserve.
This pump stands 2.16 inches from the ground making it easy to walk confidently. The footbed is cushioned to help with impact-absorption while walking around the airport and in the cabin. And when it’s hot, the included ortholite sockliner will absorb moisture as quickly as it comes leaving you feeling fresh all day long.
Clarks Women’s Emslie Lulin Pump comes with adjustable hook and loop straps. For those with minor foot pains and need quick adjustment, these straps can mean a lot. Lastly, they don’t weigh a lot which makes them light to walk in for long flights.
Features
- Leather top
- Cushioned footbed
- Heel height: 2.16’’
- Ortholite footbed
- Textile lining
- Rubber outsole
- Hook and loop closure
Pros:
- Comforting supple leather
- Adjustable fit
- Cushioned for many hours of use
- Affordable pricing
- Breathable upper
Cons:
- No major issues
Clarks Women’s Emslie Lulin Pump is for those who are looking for a versatile, not-so-high heel. Its subtle elegance makes it ideal for any occasion and can go with any dress. The adjustable fit part puts it amongst the most convenient shoes for flight attendants.
3. Eastland Women’s Newbury Penny Loafer
Albeit not the most stylish, Eastland Women’s Newbury Penny Loafer still qualifies as a reliable airline attendant shoe. This one comes in supple pig-skin leather, handcrafted to perfection.
This shoe is for those with wide feet. The spacious toe box will give your toes the freedom to play and breathe. It is also a practical choice for those with bunions, hammertoes, and other feet problems that could use some extra room.
Design-wise, Eastland Women’s Newbury Penny Loafer features a premium quality memory foam insole. The insole not only amps up cushioning but conforms to the contours of your feet providing the best support ever. Being removable, you can always swap them with other preferable choices.
This Eastland loafer provides unmatched traction thanks to the massive lugs in the outsole. Being a slip-on, wearing, and removing takes only a second or two.
Features
- Leather top
- Fabric lining
- Synthetic outsole
- Padded ortholite insole
- 2-inch heel
Pros:
- Easy to care for
- Breathable construction
- Superior grip
- Easy on and off
- Padded for comfort
- Effectively regulates moisture
Cons:
- Wide toe box
- Quality inconsistencies
Eastland Women’s Newbury Penny Loafer may not be the most durable shoe in this review but is among the most comfortable. So if you have wide feet or your feet conditions necessitate more room, then this shoe deserves your attention.
4. Rockport Women’s Total Motion Pump
Does your uniform come in different colors? Are you allowed to rock different colors on some occasions? If so then you need a shoe that comes in many colors. One such shoe is Rockport Women’s Total Motion Pump
This amazing pump stands 3.25 inches from the ground and bears a stable 0.5-inch platform. It’s an all-day comfort shoe with a padded footbed and Rockport’s Trutech shock-absorption system.
For most ladies, Rockport Women’s Total Motion Pump is already a familiar design that needs no getting used to. Furthermore, this shoe can accompany you to any event besides your airport and cabin duties.
Features
- Leather top
- Rubber outsole
- Midfoot PU support
- TruTECH lightweight cushioning
- 3.25 inches high
- Cushioned footbed
Pros:
- Stable and supportive
- Cushioned for better comfort
- Easy to get in and out
- Breathable construction
- Extremely durable
- Multiple color choices
Cons:
- Doesn’t come cheap
Rockport Women’s Total Motion Pump is a little pricey but for good reasons. First is the quality-it is outstanding. Secondly, it comes in several colors which allows you to pick your favorite. Lastly, a lot of techs have gone into it to improve both comfort and support.
5. Naturalizer Women’s Whitney Pump
Naturalizer Women’s Whitney Pump is similar to Rockport Women’s Total Motion Pump in terms of design and color choices. Although this comes in more radiant shades and on top of that, the platform is a lot wider.
So if your airline requires you to put on some jaw-dropping heels and you find them unstable, this one can make walking a little easier. This is because of the blocky heel. The sole extension is supremely flexible and lightweight so you can walk as many times in the cabin without your feet getting overwhelmed.
Rockport Women’s Total Motion Pump is also fairly padded with N5 removable insoles. This insole marvelously follows your edges for the best and most comfortable fit. The breathable fabric linings ensure your feet get sufficient air.
Features
- Leather top
- Synthetic sole
- N5 removable insole
- 10+ color choices
- Breathable lining
- Slip-on design
Pros:
- Flexible and lightweight
- Alluring color choices
- Stability-enhancing wider platform
- Available in affordable models
- Classic vintage styling
- No break-in necessary
Cons:
- Slightly bigger. Go down by a half
Naturalizer Women’s Whitney Pump will make you look good and feel awesome about yourself. Its unpretentious design, wider platform, and vintage styling make it a go-to shoe for a modern woman. To top it up, you could get it for as low as $20. Awesome, right?
6. LifeStride Women’s Rozz Pump
A good image is just as important as your flight attendant duties. If you want to pull off an enchanting look, LifeStride Women’s Rozz Pump can easily help you pull that off. It provides a wonderful break from typical stilettos and will allow you to serve customers in full comfort and stability.
This Mary Jane pump is made from Faux leather assuring both longevity and comfort. On top of that, the outsole flexes easily which prevents your feet from being strained. When the flight gets too long and you yearn for a break, the adjustable straps let you get out of the shoe in seconds.
LifeStride Women’s Rozz Pump is not for flight-attending only. As a dress shoe, you get to take for a spin while out and about your business.
Features
- Faux leather top
- Flexible rubber outsole
- Heel height: 2 inches
- Adjustable strap
- Round-toe design
Pros:
- A versatile dress shoe
- Comforting to the feet
- You can adjust your fit
- Long-lasting leather construction
- Flexible performance
Cons:
- Limited color choices
LifeStride Women’s Rozz Pump is another chick pump with better flexibility for long flights. The quality is truly superb and this is the reason why it is positively rated on Amazon and other online marketplaces.
7. Franco Sarto Nolan Leather Slip-on
There are days when your head is not in the mood for work. It happens all the time. Guess what, once you put on Franco Sarto Nolan Leather Slip-on, its elegance will slowly fire your spirit up. After all, don’t they say shoes are a woman’s best friend?
Besides lighting up your mood and making heads turn in the cabin, Franco Sarto Nolan Slip-on is practical to the last bit. That is, you get a stable, 0.5-inch platform, a long-lasting leather upper, and thoughtful stitch detail.
Standing at 2.75 inches from the ground, this slip-on won’t torture you the way stilettos do. On top of that, the bouncy rubber outsole flexes past the midfoot thus preventing foot pains. As for space, this slip-on is roomier enough. In case of any pain, you can easily get it off for a few minutes and back on in a second when a call comes up.
Features
- Genuine leather top
- Slip-on loafer design
- 2.75-inches heel height
- Rubber outsole
Pros:
- Impeccable stitching for durability
- Designed with comfort in mind
- Refreshingly elegant
- Flexible performance
- Affordable price tag
- Universal design
- Sturdy and drippy outsole
Cons:
- Limited color choices
- The quality may have dropped a little
Like its partner at the top, Franco Sarto Nolan Leather Slip-on ranks top when it comes to comfort, support, and stability. It also magnifies your beauty which pushes your confidence up a few notches. So if quality, comfort, and longevity are at the top of your list, then this is your shoe.
Things to Consider While Looking for the Best Flight Attendant Shoes
Flight attendants are the face of the airline and thus are expected to look classy and confident. And when it comes to those two, shoes do matter. In a world where your choices are limitless, things can get really confusing. To ensure you shop for the best shoes for airline crew, here are things to keep at the back of your mind:
Comfort
Flight attendants could easily find themselves standing for almost an entire trip. This is typical in airlines with a shortage of workers. In preparation for long working hours, you need a shoe that delivers the best comfort.
Most work shoes for cabin crew take a formal design and thus a little thing in structure. This means small things like bouncy rubber sole, premium soft leather, and padded insoles count for a lot.
Breathability
Although not designed like the best running shoes, flight attendant shoes tend to leave enough room for breathability. Some do include ortholite sockliners that improve comfort and moisture absorption.
Convenient features
On a busy day, you’d be so lucky to get a few minutes of rest. Otherwise, you would be running around distributing food, drinks, and helping out the sick. Some of the convenient features of flight attendant shoes include a roomier toe box and a slip-on design that allows you to easily remove them for a few seconds of relief.
Heel
Look closely at some of our options in this review and you’ll notice most of them are heels with a height of one to three inches tall. The shape too can affect stability so go for those with a slightly wider base to be sure of steady steps.
Quality
There is no point in cutting costs on quality only to end up shopping for shoes too soon. Long-lasting shoes may be costly but in the end, they are much more valuable than a cheap knockoff. Besides, you don’t want your kick to get unstitched in the middle of your service delivery, do you?
Flexibility
While the cabin is just a small section, walking back and forth continuously adds up to many miles. This means a bit of flexibility is needed to allow your feet to naturally bend. Shoes with rubber outsoles offer the best performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
a) Can flight attendants wear heels?
Flight attendants can wear comfortable heels with wider platforms that offer better stability. Typical stiletto studs have a very small surface area and one can easily lose their firmness. It is also worth mentioning that the outsole needs to be flexible as well.
b) How high should a flight attendant shoe be?
Most airlines recommend that female flight attendants wear shoes with a heel height of between one and three inches. Ballet-flat choices are also recommended for those who find heels to be uncomfortable. We would not advise anyone to go beyond 3 inches-you can easily come down crushing or overwork your spine.
c) Can flight attendants wear boots?
While your airline dictates what to wear, most cabin crew females wear either platform pump as the main airport shoe. However, when flying to a country with the winter season, packing an extra pair of boots could be ideal.
Wrap up
If you Google what are the best flight attendant shoes, the answers you are going to get are classic pumps, platform pumps, wedges, loafers, flats, and Mary Jane’s. These are the top shoes your attention should be focused on.
However, not every attendant has healthy and impeccable feet. This means some of you need to dig in further and find shoes that fit your particular feet shape, arch type, and possibly existing foot problems.
Flight attendants tend to have jaw-dropping looks and many people expect that. So it is better you pick a pair that makes you look more amazing than the passengers (it doesn’t have to be all of them). Go back to our reviews and see if there is an option or two that appeals to your needs. All in all, enjoy your flights.