# Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Must Shave Beards, Ending Rare Exception

_Apr 3 15:10_

Tags: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Air Group, United States, policy change, airline, loyalty program, safety & operations, service policy change

As part of Alaska Air Group's integration, Hawaiian Airlines pilots must shave their beards effective April 2026, aligning with FAA oxygen mask safety guidance

## Summary

Hawaiian Airlines pilots are no longer allowed to have beards as of April 2026, ending a decades-long exception tied to Hawaiian culture. This change is part of Alaska Air Group's broader integration of labor groups and uniform standards. While mustaches remain approved, beards are prohibited to ensure compliance with FAA guidance regarding oxygen mask seal integrity. Alaska Air Group executives cited recent flight decompression events as a reminder of the importance of proper mask usage. The decision aligns Hawaiian with the majority of U.S. carriers, despite some debate over the safety data

## Why it matters

Affects 2 airline programs (Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines). Card-issuer angle via American Express.

## Sources cited

- [One Mile at a Time](https://onemileatatime.com/news/hawaiian-airlines-pilots-shave-beards) — Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Have To Shave Their Beards, Ending Rare Exception

## Related signals

- [Alaska Global Getaways from 25,000 points through Nov 7](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/alaska-airlines-global-getaways-for-travel-january-15-may-12-2027-book-by-novemb.md)
- [Alaska will fly Anchorage to Tokyo Narita daily from May 13, 2027](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/cool-alaska-adds-anchorage-to-tokyo-narita-flights-with-boeing-737-max.md)
- [Alaska will fly Seattle to Osaka and Papeete in spring 2027](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/alaska-airlines-and-hawaiian-airlines-add-seattle-routes-to-osaka-and-papeete.md)
- [Alaska will fly Anchorage to Tokyo Narita from May 13, 2027](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/alaska-airlines-plans-unique-anchorage-tokyo-service-with-a-single-aisle-plane-i.md)
- [Alaska pays up to 110% on Atmos mile purchases through Nov 7, 2026](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/alaska-airlines-buy-miles-up-to-110-bonus-increased-limit-until-november-7-2026.md)

Older: [Senator Demands Reversal of TSA’s ‘Shoes On’ Screening Policy](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/senator-demands-reversal-of-tsa-shoes-on-policy-following-oig-security-findings.md)
Newer: [Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Card Launches with 100K Bonus and Global Companion Award](https://thetravelsignal.com/s/atmos-rewards-summit-visa-infinite-card-launches-with-100k-bonus-and-global-comp.md)

Canonical URL: https://thetravelsignal.com/s/hawaiian-airlines-pilots-must-shave-beards-ending-rare-exception