Really random question, but I cant help but notice that whenever I fly airlines such as Qatar, Etihad and Emirates (whose female uniforms have a hat as a part of the uniform), the

Really random question, but I cant help but notice that whenever I fly airlines such as Qatar, Etihad and Emirates (whose female uniforms have a hat as a part of the uniform), the crew is always so quick to take their hats off. Pretty much whenever the purser announces that boarding is complete/door is closed you see the crew go to the galley straight way to stow their hats away. Does anyone know why the crew from these airlines are always so quick to take their hats off when boarding is complete?

The hat is entwined with a billowing scarf. It's formal dress attire only, a bit like wearing gloves. They come off after the boarding is complete, because meet and greet is over, ettiquette now permits.  When actual work begins they would be in the way.

They serve no useful purpose so as soon as crew can take them off, they do.

It's just part of an already impressive uniform, and with that crowning glory is made impeccable. Recognised anywhere in the world.

They serve no useful purpose. Period. Neither aesthetic one.

The aesthetics of the hat and veil is simply stunning, they conjure up images of Arabian Nights. Don't recall Pan American Pill Box hats or any other airlines hat being as noticable or as memorable. A advertising and marketing masterpiece for the Middle East 's trio.

They say “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” – you believe that they stunning while I believe that they plainly ugly. Especially on one particular model with disproportional mouth and unattractive grin instead of smile that appears everywhere on Emirates adds (should be someone mistress). To me they looks fake as all fake “plastic wood” interior in Emirates planes. Though YMMV and do so greatly.

BTW the best ever female crew that I ever seen was on Lauda Airline plane, but it was long time ago.

I presume you are still talking about the hats as per original question. I don't think its right to be commenting badly on the flight attendants attributes who wear them. They can always try another airline to work if that is a problem. Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder, and draped in those hats I have seen many beauties, of many races, short and tall, and that hat and veil does them wonders, this includes Business Check In and Lounge staff wearing that hat and veil as well.  I think it's a priveledge to wear it. Beauty is only skin deep, and like the plastic wood as you call the burl walnut veneer finish is only in First and Business, they dont bother with Economy. Not sure how Lauda got a mention, but the last Lauda flight I did I thought there was a fire on board, everyone was smoking.

Among all gulf carriers I had flown only with Emirates, though indeed I may have prejudgment against all of them. I do not like their aircraft interior, I do not like their uniform (including hats) and I do not like them as whole. As I said above to me it looks fake, pretty much like incredibly cheap plastic furniture that looking like it handcrafted from expensive wood and leather just to make impression from distance and not intended for real use. I have not use their First, but it is enough for me to see photos to judge how distasteful it is. Basically like decorations and costumes in theatre that intent to look at from balcony and not intend for real use. You may call my point of view biasing and you indeed may have own point of view that completely opposite. I am fine with that. Cheers.

If you're fascinated by the speed of change for head dress, you'll be throughly amused by the complete change in uniforms of Thai Airways female flight attendant mid-flight!

That has got to be the most bizzare and inefficient practice.

But on the subject of hats, it is simply correct etiquette to take hats off once "indoors" when starting service. The speed I suppose reflects the fact that they would have limited time between completion of embarkation and prepping for take-off, where drink orders are taken, safety demonstrations and other tasks needs to be perform.

Wish the same etiquette would return amongst Australian males, and their US counterparts.  Once upon a time, men took their hats off when they were seated for a meal, now the ubiqitous baseball hat rarely leaves their heads.

Standards are falling, a bit like the aversion to any footwear these days.

I think the best I saw was Air Nostrum (back in the days of Business class) where they changed shoes, jackets, and did a meal service on a 60min flihgt