The declaration of intent already appears on the first page of the new code of conduct for the workers of ITA Airways, the Italian airline that has replaced the old Alitalia: "Our uniforms are not just work suits: they are a way to wear to the world the style, elegance and quality of good Italian clothing”.
ITA Airways has launched a new image guide for its employees that has not left anyone indifferent. There are 43 slides, in Italian and English, that not only address the stylistic issues of the uniform, but also the style, because "staff in uniform represent the image of the company, which is why they must be impeccably dressed at each circumstance and place. For this reason, they justify, with the uniform on, workers cannot smoke in the presence of passengers or walk in public, have their arms crossed or hands in their pockets, chew gum, wear headphones (except if required by the service). , carry phones visibly hanging, or post images on social networks.
The level is strict. For example, in accessories: men are not allowed to wear earrings, and women can only wear one per lobe, that are not pendants, and that are a pearl or a diamond of maximum one centimeter. Visible tongue, eyebrow, nose or ear piercings, tattoos or dental jewelry are prohibited. Eyeglasses or sunglasses must be "sober and professional" and cannot be worn on the head or hanging from the suit. Necklaces or bracelets are allowed, but subtle, in gold or tin, nothing made of leather, plastic or pearls or flashy pendants.
As for rings, both men and women can wear a maximum of two, in gold or silver tones, "traditional in style and moderate in size." Of course, nothing to wear them on the thumb. Gloves? Only black, leather and worn with the raincoat, not on board in the presence of customers. Slippers are not allowed, even if they are black, and the shoes must be the classic model with heels, made of black leather without laces or ornaments. Black or blue socks, without more. Same for umbrellas. Hand luggage should be chosen sober, dark, blue, black or gray, without stickers or decorations. No backpacks or sports bags. For watches there is a concession: sports are allowed, but of "moderate dimensions". The white ones, in loud or bright colors, for days off.
Another rule that has attracted more attention is that of hair. ITA Airways does not allow employees who dye their hair to show gray roots. Women must have a clear face, and men, "short and neat" hair. They must be shaved or with a well-groomed beard of a precise length: shorter than five millimeters. Mustaches must be classic, and beards and goatees are not allowed without a mustache or long sideburns.
These provisions have generated a stir on social networks, where users ironize that they prefer gray hair to delays. And all this when the agreement with Lufthansa seems to be about to close, which in January presented a formal offer to acquire a partial stake in the Italian state airline born from the ashes of the old Alitalia. Negotiations are “very, very advanced”, Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgietti confirmed on Thursday. "The structure of the agreement is defined and the fact that some details may change are part of the negotiation process," said ITA president Antonino Turicchi.
According to what has been leaked to the press, the German colossus would like to take over around 40% of the shares of the Italian company, a minority part, to later acquire the remaining parts in the future. Lufthansa had already made two attempts to enter the capital of Alitalia, in 2009 and 2019, without success. The new Italian state airline took off in 2021 with an investment of 1,350 million from the Italian Government and 52 aircraft, less than half of the historic airline that closed after a scandalous management failure, having been rescued on several occasions and several failed merger attempts .
