United Airlines is changing its uniform policy, eliminating what was a cool form of expression for frontline employees. I think the change is logical (unfortunately). However, I can’t help but be a little cynical about the timeline of this announcement…
In this post:
United adds restrictions on employee flag pins
Historically, United employees have been allowed to wear flag pins, representing countries and nationalities of the world. While airline employees of course wear uniforms, it’s nice to give people some ability to express themselves, and it can even be a great conversation starter.
For example, many flight attendants who speak foreign languages might have a flag pin for a foreign country they speak the language of, which can be an easy way for non-English speaking passengers to identify them. Others might just have a connection to a certain culture, and it’s intended to be a good way for employees and passengers to connect.
Unfortunately since October 2023, any positives from these flag pins have been outweighed by the negatives. There have been a countless number of viral incidents whereby airline employees were spotted wearing Palestinian flag pins, and of course this caused an uproar online, when people would blast pictures of these flight attendants all over social media, and call them names.
This puts airlines in a tricky position. Given how polarizing the conflict is, it’s just a situation where a company can’t win. What’s interesting is that while other airlines (like Delta) banned employees flag pins, United historically hasn’t. United even doubled down on its policy at the time, stating the following:
Our uniform policy has long included an option for flight attendants to wear flag pins to designate specific language skills so that our customers who are more comfortable in a language other than English can know who on our crew speaks their preferred language. We also allow flight attendants to wear flag pins that represent their pride in a place to which they may have a special connection.
Well, now the airline has had a change of heart. As of May 28, 2025, United will be updating its policy for employees wearing flag pins (thanks to Live and Let’s Fly for flagging this — no pun intended). As of now, the extent of the announcement is the following, as there’s no additional explanation:
Note: starting May 28, only US flag pins will be allowed
This is a reasonable policy change, but the timing is sus
As much as I wish it weren’t the case, I do think banning confrontational flag pins is the right move, since it just puts everyone in an uncomfortable position. People have heated and polarized takes. It’s not just about what’s good for business, but in many ways, it puts frontline employees in a really uncomfortable situation if passengers are taking pictures of them and posting them online.
What I find noteworthy here isn’t the policy change as such, but the timing. Most other airlines were addressing this around the beginning and middle of 2024, when there was the most public dialogue about this. But now, roughly a year later, United is finally updating its policy? Like, why now? As far as I know, this isn’t in response to some recent viral event.
Would it be unreasonable to assume that this is at least partly motivated by United CEO Scott Kirby continuing to try to gain favor with the Trump administration, given his goals with JetBlue? Kirby has historically presented as one of the most politically progressive airline CEOs, but he has done a 180. Just recently, he praised Trump’s tariffs unconditionally.
I’m not sure what Kirby really believes, and if his personal opinions have actually evolved, or if he simply reflects the preferences of whatever party is in power.
Bottom line
As of May 28, 2025, United is updating its policy when it comes to employees wearing flag pins. As of that date, the only flag pins that will be allowed will be those of the US flag. United is following in the footsteps of airlines like Delta. I think the policy change makes sense, it’s just interesting that this announcement comes now. It sure makes you wonder…
What do you make of United’s updated flag pin policy, and especially the timing?
When I last checked, United was private incorporation, owned by its shareholders from near and far. I don’t see any reason why they should wear flag pins at all.
Most other airlines include the language flags in the official name tag - and require some evidence of the respective language skills, before actually doing so.
The only flag they should be wearing is the US flag. Why in the world are the wearing flags of other countries, territories, nonexistent places, etc? You are an AMERICAN flag carrier. No need for anything else. You don't see other countries' airlines wearing all these crazy flags of other countries. Politics has no place here.
Stick to travel, not politics. I enjoy your travel commentary and hope to land clear of the slippery slope this will lead to.
Oh nooo. ISIS pins are now also banned? That’s racist!
Took long enough. If FAs want to be social justice warriors, do it on own time and not as reps of UA in a situation where customers are forced to interact with them.
Considering some people love to jam their political views down our throats, this is a refreshing move. I don’t care what your views are in the Middle East or Russia/Ukraine conflict. I don’t care who you want to sleep with. I don’t care whether you love or hate Trump. Just do your job…. It’s what I am paying you for. I
Kirby could have banned those pins a few months ago, but he didn't. He was singing a very different tune then. So why now?
They need language pins. If they make it a requirement to be able to speak the language well, nobody will be able to pass a test in Gazan dialect of Arabic (Palestininan Arabic).
The left wing morons are out in force. "My uniform should allow me to express my politics, my sexual desires, my feelings and what I eat for breakfast. It's a racist, homophobic and anti vegan policy!!!" screams the purple haired matron who is there for your safety.
You can't make this sh *t up.
Sure Jan.
If it is to avoid controversy, then no flag pins at all. Sadly the US flag communicates something too these days --- a flavor of nationalism that is not embraced by many, its symbolism very different these days an polarizing itself. As for timing -- new uniform standards were released today and that was one of the things listed. I do not doubt political motivation, but that is at least an easy thing to hide...
If it is to avoid controversy, then no flag pins at all. Sadly the US flag communicates something too these days --- a flavor of nationalism that is not embraced by many, its symbolism very different these days an polarizing itself. As for timing -- new uniform standards were released today and that was one of the things listed. I do not doubt political motivation, but that is at least an easy thing to hide it in. It was one single line item on a very comprehensive document.
May 28 is also the start date for the new uniforms and this change was rolled out with the new uniform and appearance standards. So I’m assuming they’re using the uniform refresh as a chance to refresh other appearance standards as well.
People comment here as if the only flag pins United employees wear are Palestinian and LGBTQ flags, but that's not the case. Earlier this year I complained to United about a flight attendant who wore a MAGA pin, and United sent me an apology. United staff in uniform shouldn't wear political pins IMO.
Out of curiosity, does someone wearing a MAGA pin really affect you? You don't have to agree with what they are representing, but everyone has a right (in the US) to represent what they believe in, whether right or wrong. For context, I am not from the US before someone says I am a Trump fan.
This is exactly correct, but Ben et al are reading way more into it. The appearance standards are being modified effective May 28 to coincide with the launch of the new uniform. This also happened when the subCO/subUA groups became one under a common uniform - updated uniform standards.
In the movie Judgment At Nuremberg, the common refrain was "No one ever thought it would become what it did." But, it did.
Yup crazy! They shut people’s businesses down and forced people to get an experimental mRNA “vaccine” otherwise they’d lose their job. They separated families from their dying loved ones in the name of “safety.” Although they did allow 10’s of thousands in the street to have “mostly peaceful protests” while city blocks burned all across the country. President Biden even pardoned the head doctor, being Fauchi for knowingly lying about game of function research, origin...
Yup crazy! They shut people’s businesses down and forced people to get an experimental mRNA “vaccine” otherwise they’d lose their job. They separated families from their dying loved ones in the name of “safety.” Although they did allow 10’s of thousands in the street to have “mostly peaceful protests” while city blocks burned all across the country. President Biden even pardoned the head doctor, being Fauchi for knowingly lying about game of function research, origin of Covid (psst to liberals, Trump was right, it was from a lab), lied about efficacy and safety. You are right. We hadn’t seen this type of tyranny since the Nazis. All in the name of liberal science.
This will be the first time I’ve disagreed with Ben.
What does the timing matter if it’s just a sensible policy? I’m about 7 million miles and never noticed what pins the FAs might be wearing.
And given his own post, not yet knowing the full context of the proposed UA/B6 partnership, why bring it up in this post?
I’m true blue liberal (also gay minority), and I agree with the new policy.
I agree with this. Flight attendants are there for your safety. Not as conversation starters depending on what pin they wear.
All this nonsense for some JFK slots. Talk about abandoning your morals and principles.
Kirby is shrewd, so this (plus his weird tariff glazing) does strike me as Trump sycophancy. Time will tell if this is a good strategy — people who express this type of blind deference to Trump have a habit of getting burned, but if it results in a relatively smooth acquisition then maybe the ickiness will have been worth it.
He's just being a sycophant.
Does this also mean no more rainbow flag pins? If so, that is really terrible, considering how many employees, especially those who are customer facing typically wear them.
The official United Pride pin is still allowed.
ridiculous. I don't care about a flight attendants sexual preference. why does that matter? I'd love to see what Qatar, Emirates, or one of these Gulf Carriers have to say about "pride" pins. Thats why they are kicking everyone's a$$. They aren't worried about stupid stuff that doesn't matter. Just providing a good product and getting you to and from your destination.
Is this another move for UA to butter up the Trump Administration for potential near future favorably? Likely yes, and that's not anything new. From a business standpoint you're there to do a job not tell the world your views and opinions, even if they're good in nature.
Soon Kirby will be modeling the new orange lipstick for everyone - perfect for kissing oranges' backsides