by Evan Widhu

Somewhere between the Mad Men era of knee-jerk grabassing and this incident most major airlines decided to renege on their self created myth of the sexpots of the skies and instead dress the keepers of their blankets and salted nuts like substitute geometry teachers complete with sweater vests and pleated “slacks.”  By no means are we asking for a return to the days of high-altitude sexual harassment or trying to restore the pinioned flock of airborn Hooters but it’s still worth recognizing these four masters of the friendly skies who haven’t entirely given up on the idea of a plane ride as something worthy of a little style and romance.

Emirates

If you’ve ever been to an airpot in Northern Africa or the Middle East you know they’re the untouchably popular cheerleaders of the duty-free world. With its flattened fez-like hat and veil and aggressively shapely khaki suit their kit looks like something the female contingent of the Death Star crew would wear if its port of call was Dubai.

Virgin Atlantic Airways

The Banana Republic-designed cherry red suits of Richard Branson’s horde could go very Margaret Thatcher very quickly if it weren’t for some careful tailoring and generous servings of cheek. As it is, reclaiming the power of the power suit from Downing St. uncorks a little bit of The Empire whenever they pour our your earl grey.

Heck, they’re better dressed than the folks in business class

Icelandair

So…many…blue eyes…

Reyjavik’s fairest demonstrate that sometimes all it takes is a hat that looks like it should have been in the cockpit of the Hindenburg to stand out at the pilot’s lounge.

And if that doesn’t work, there’s always the fact that you’re a 6′ tall, high-cheekboned Icelandress who looks like Thor’s hot younger sister.

China Airlines

China may be the future of manufacturing, but we have the superior Photoshop skills

The pastel tones and sharp tailoring just scream, “the world’s second largest economy,” while the mandarin-style jacket would appease even the most hardline members of the people’s party. The propensity of these gals for flooding the web with (ironically?) saucy self portraits only further defrosts relations.

Gentleman, book your next travel planes accordingly and for god’s sake ask for a hot towel.