Six Benefits of Compression Pantyhose for Women Flight Attendants

Many flight attendants swear by the benefits of compression socks for travel — but given the strict airline dress codes, many female flight attendants can’t wear socks to work and must don pantyhose or stockings instead. Fortunately, there are compression pantyhose available that offer all the benefits of compression socks while still meeting airline dress codes.

Here are six solid reasons female flight attendants should look into compression pantyhose:

 

1. They Improve Venous blood flow.

There are more than 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body, and it takes a lot of work for your body to keep pumping blood through this vital system every single second. Whenever you sit or stand for long periods of time, as flight attendants do, gravity pulls on your blood, slowing your circulation and decreasing its efficacy. Compression pantyhose provide gentle, graduated pressure that keeps the blood moving through your veins and helps fight against gravity’s adverse effects.

2. They Decrease Your Chances of Blood Clots.

Frequent flyers, including flight attendants, are at risk for a serious condition called deep vein thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body, often in the legs. If such a clot breaks loose, it can result in a pulmonary embolism or a sudden blockage in a lung artery, which can have severe and even fatal effects. Sitting still for a long time increases your chances of getting a DVT, but thankfully, compression pantyhose help reduce the odds that clots will form by keeping your blood moving.

 

3. They Combat Varicose and Spider Veins.

Varicose and spider veins develop when the one-way valves in your veins become weak or damaged. When the valves malfunction, blood pools and the veins become dark or swollen and twisted. Varicose veins may be blue, red or skin-colored and often bulge out from the skin. They can also be irritating and even painful. Spider veins are usually red or purple and lay flat against the skin. Compression pantyhose decrease the chances of your blood pooling, which in turn reduces the odds that you will develop varicose or spider veins. If you’re already starting to see these veins, it’s not too late. Wearing compression stockings can help stop their progress and alleviate existing symptoms.

4. They Improve Muscle Energy.

Your arteries carry nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood throughout your body, while your veins bring depleted blood back to the lungs to be replenished. In other words, the better your circulation, the faster and more efficiently your muscles will be supplied with new nutrients. This means that your muscles will recover faster after a long shift on your feet, and they’ll feel energized for longer periods of time. If your legs feel heavy and tired all the time, compression pantyhose can help combat that sluggishness by keeping your circulation humming along.

5. They Reduce Swelling.

Flight attendants spend much of their day standing on their feet, often in heels, punctuated by breaks for sitting. Whether you’re standing or sitting, gravity still pulls down on your blood, lymph and other fluids, which can lead to swelling in the feet and lower legs, a common complaint among flight attendants. Compression pantyhose gently squeeze your legs and feet, so they simply don’t leave room for the fluid to collect and cause swelling. Plus, the graduated pressure of compression stockings encourages those fluids to keep moving, which further contributes to the decrease in swelling.

 

6. They Fit with Airline Dress Codes.

Each airline has its own very particular dress code for its cabin crew, and many women are required to wear skirts with pantyhose. Thankfully, compression pantyhose come in a range of opacities and shades that look just like regular stockings, so you’ll be sure to find a product that complies with your airline’s particular dress codes. Manufacturers of compression stockings know that flight attendants are some of their most loyal customers, and they offer compression pantyhose in classic uniform colors such as grey, black, white and many shades of beige and brown. Because of the many options available, you’ll be able to follow airline dress codes and receive the benefits of compression therapy all at once.

These six benefits make a compelling case for why female flight attendants should wear compression pantyhose during their shifts. Wearing compression pantyhose will help your legs look and feel great whenever you take to the skies. 

 

About the Author

Kaki Zell - Vice President of Sales, Marketing, eCommerce at Legs-4-Life LLC Kaki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She’s been working in the medical device industry for over 11 years and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greensboro Science Center.  

 

Written November 2018 | Page last updated November 2021

Sources: 

Cleveland Clinic. "Heart & Blood Vessels: Blood Flow"
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17059-how-does-blood-flow-through-your-body

MedlinePlus. "Deep Vein Thrombosis"
https://medlineplus.gov/deepveinthrombosis.html

Office on Women's Health. "Varicose veins and spider veins"
https://www.womenshealth.gove/a-z-topics/varicose-veins-and-spider-veins