SIA to phase out iconic sandals for closed-toe shoes

Participating flight attendants went through multiple rounds of fittings, the spokesperson said, with adjustments made along the way to refine the fit, durability, comfort and overall design.

Some features of the new footwear include engineered cushioned insoles for improved support and an enhanced arch cushion to provide greater stability and comfort.

It also has a breathable insole and a padded heel counter for support around the Achilles area.

“Each element was carefully considered to provide the comfort and support needed for long hours of wear, while maintaining a polished silhouette appropriate for the SIA cabin crew,” the spokesperson said.

The original open-toed sandals, which feature batik accents on the straps and heels, have been an integral part of SIA’s Singapore Girl brand and identity.

Designed by Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain, they are famous for letting the painted red toenails of female flight attendants peek out.

Over the years, few changes have been made to SIA’s sarong kebaya uniform, which was adapted by Balmain for the airline in 1974.

Balmain had designed the sarong kebaya for Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1968, before SIA’s split from MSA.

In 2001, SIA introduced new shoes for female flight attendants to enhance flight safety. This came a few months after the SQ006 crash in Taiwan in October 2000, which claimed 83 lives.

Also designed by Balmain, the closed-toe slingbacks come with a chrome buckle fixed to the strap at the ankle. The polyurethane toe cap protects the toes.

At the time, flight attendants involved in the crash had said that the open-toed sandals flew off their feet, leaving them to tread barefoot through the fiery debris on the tarmac.

An SIA spokesperson denied then that the new shoes were linked to the crash, saying that the review process for the new footwear began two years prior.

Since then, female flight attendants have been wearing the closed-toe slingbacks during take-off and landing, changing into their usual open-toed sandals during the rest of the flight.

With the latest footwear, they will no longer be required to switch between the two types of shoes. From January 2027, they will wear the new closed-toe wedge shoes for all flight phases.

SIA said that this shift helps with “improving practicality and consistency”.

The airline added that there will be no changes to the footwear for male cabin crew, who will continue to don black leather shoes in accordance with its existing uniform guidelines.

A flight attendant, who has been working with SIA for two years, said that she finds the sandals to be one of the highlights of the SIA uniform.

“We’re known for wearing sandals, unlike other airlines that mostly require closed-toe heels for their uniforms,” said the flight attendant, who declined to be named as she is not authorised for media interviews.

However, she said she understands the reasons behind this footwear change, such as having a single pair of shoes rather than two, as well as minimising risk of injuries.

“It’s quite common to have your toes stepped on, or have things fall on you while working,” she added.

She said she has already tried on the new shoes, and added: “I find them comfortable… but I have not worked while wearing them, so I can’t say for certain they’ll be comfortable throughout.”

Though cabin crew have been advised to wear stockings with the new shoes to prevent smelly feet due to the build-up of sweat, the flight attendant pointed out that some may not be used to wearing stockings.