Stewardess uniform in focus again, this time for syariah airline

Rayani Air, Malaysia's first syariah-compliant airline, received praises from consumers after it made its maiden flight to Langkawi last Sunday.

However, amid the bouquets come brickbats and suggestions on how the flight attendants' uniform can be more Islamic.

Unlike other Malaysian airlines, Rayani Air flight attendants wear the tudung, shirt and pants to cover their aurat (Muslim code of modesty).

Yet, this was not enough for some who feel the clothes should be looser so as to obscure the body figures of the attendants.

"Congratulations Rayani. I appreciate your effort to heed syariah. But I don't want people to later question why your non-Muslim staff are not in loser clothes, and not in T-shirts, like they do now.

"Many international airlines, like Emirates and Etihad, have attendants dressed in looser clothing," Adillah Hanim Mahmud said on the social media.

Netizen Johan Dihani agrees.

"Are the flight attendants dressed in long-sleeved shirts and blazers? Why not dress in looser tunics to obscure their figures. Come on, you said you are syariah compliant," Johan said in his posting.

However, Khairul Hisyam said Rayani Air's uniform is "better than other airlines" while Tie Watie thinks the flight attendants look "beautiful and sweet" in their aurat-observant uniform.

"May Rayani Air flights be protected by Allah," Tie Watie said.

Crew uniform a source of debate

Flight attendant uniforms for Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia have been raised during the debates in Parliament, with some MPs saying they are too tight and too revealing.

Malaysia Airlines flight attendants wear the figure-hugging kebaya while AirAsia flight attendants wear suits featuring pencil skirts, measuring several inches above the knee.

Critics made snide remarks about Malaysia Airlines' "unIslamic" crew uniform in relation to the MH17 and MH370 tragedies.

This prompted the National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia (Nufam) to renew its call for Malaysia Airlines to allow its Muslim crew the option to observe the Muslim dress code.

Rayani Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Iran Air are the only airlines which allow cabin crew to observe the aurat.

The airlines also do not serve alcohol or pork, and play pre-recorded recitation of Islamic prayers before departure.

Rayani Air's entrance into the aviation market is competition to budget airlines Firefly, AirAsia and Malindo Air, which also ply the same routes.

Rayani Air is licensed to fly the Kuala Lumpur-Kota Bharu and Kuala Lumpur-Langkawi routes.

Consumers have lauded the competition in the hope of cheaper air travel and better services.

"This is healthy competition for the Malaysian aviation industry. I hope the pricing is transparent, with no hidden charges. Can't wait to try Rayani Air for my next holiday," Kamal Kamelia said.

Rayani Air is a joint venture between oil and gas firm Merdeka Jayabumi Enterprise and mining company Teras Maju Metal.

It now has a fleet of two Boeing 737-400 aircraft. -Mkini