Airlines often require pilots to be clean-shaven, due to past research that beards could interrupt the flow of oxygen in the event of an emergency. However, more recent research conducted by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University found that there’s no difference in oxygen saturation levels in the event pilots need to put on oxygen masks. “Using a current on-demand airline oxygen mask, oxygen saturation levels were never compromised by any of the beard conditions,” researchers concluded after asking 24 volunteers to conduct a test in a hypoxia chamber. “Airline pilots with beards of any length would not be impaired by hypoxia or smoke while dealing with an in-flight emergency.” American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, and Spirit Airlines all require their pilots to be beard-free. (Airline Geeks)
Phone Topic: Have you ever had a pilot with a beard?
