As of May 6, 2024, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will allow employees to wear sneakers as part of their uniform. This includes all frontline staff, from pilots, to flight attendants, to ground agents. Employees will be able to wear their own sneakers (which must meet certain requirements), or they can buy sneakers developed especially for KLM, designed by Filling Pieces.
KLM describes this decision as being intended to improve well-being among employees, and it’s in response to the demand for more comfortable work shoes. KLM has been allowing sneakers to be worn as a trial for some time, and a senior purser for the airline describes this policy change as follows: “In the past year, I have been able to test sneakers as a sustainable part of my uniform. After years of the classic look of pumps, I now wear sneakers with great pleasure! They give me a good start towards a good flight!”
