Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Must Shave Beards, Ending Rare Exception

Hawaiian Airlines pilots are no longer allowed to have beards as of April 2026, ending a decades-long cultural exception. This change is part of Alaska Air Group's rollout of updated uniform and appearance standards for pilots across both brands as they integrate labor groups. While well-groomed mustaches remain approved, beards are prohibited to ensure compliance with FAA guidance regarding oxygen mask seals in the flight deck. Alaska Air Group executives cited recent safety experiences, such as Flight 1282's rapid decompression, as justification for this stricter policy alignment