Taipei: Taiwanese airline EVA Airways (EVA Air) announced that it has begun allowing cabin crew to wear framed glasses and comfortable black leather shoes on duty.
According to Focus Taiwan, the company decided to amend its eye and footwear regulations for cabin crew in a recent internal document, aiming to alleviate ailments associated with long-haul shifts, such as eye discomfort, herniated discs, and varicose veins.
EVA Air stated that cabin crew are now permitted to wear shoes that provide safety and comfort, as long as they are black with leather uppers to match the airline's uniform. Previously, EVA Air only allowed framed glasses if cabin crew were unable to wear contact lenses due to an eye condition. The old regulation also required that comfortable shoes suited to individual needs had a minimum heel height of 2.5 centimeters.
The policy change by EVA Air follows a similar move by China Airlines (CAL), which began allowing cabin crew to wear framed glasses on duty in December 2025 to improve comfort on long-haul services across multiple time zones. CAL specified that approved glasses must be simple and single-colored, with metal or rimless frames and clear lenses, and crew are required to carry a spare pair to ensure duties can be carried out effectively. Prior to this, CAL rules permitted only contact lenses for nearsighted crew for aesthetic reasons.
As of January this year, CAL also began allowing cabin crew to wear casual black athletic shoes on duty to reduce foot strain from long periods of standing and walking. Meanwhile, Tigerair Taiwan also allowed its cabin crew to wear glasses starting in January, although the company is still formulating a new rule regarding footwear in connection with its planned new uniform.