Chinese Airline Slammed For Its Policy On Suspending Overweight Flight Attendants

A Chinese airline, Hainan, is on the receiving end of criticism for its policy of suspending "overweight" flight attendants. After the report became public earlier this month, the news sparked controversy on social media. Many netizens have slammed the airline for having such a discriminatory policy, forcing it to defend its move.

Hainan Airlines, which is one of the biggest aviation in China, implemented a new rule in June that would suspend female flight attendants if they weighed over the standard limit. The standard weight is apparently determined by height. For instance, an average Chinese woman is 5 feet 2 inches tall and is expected to weigh 48 kg.

Airline Suspends Overweight Crew

If the cabin crew weighed 10 percent more than the required weight limit, they would be immediately placed on suspension and put on a "weight reduction plan" under the supervision of the airline. Those who weighed five percent above the stipulated weight limit will face a review and have their weight checked at regular intervals. This rule applies to all cabin crew, regardless of their gender.

After receiving severe flak, the airline told CNN in a statement that it only intended to promote healthy living habits and maintain a good professional image and a healthy physique by setting up a reference target. They added that they didn’t want to wait until the cabin crew’s physique changed drastically, which would then affect their safety service work. The company further mentioned that the guidelines were imposed to manage the cabin crew’s "health, physical shape, and posture" based on the standard human body weight range and matched with a healthy weight range measurement for the cabin crew.

Netizens lambasted the airline company and called the move disgraceful and saddening. Rightfully so, because this move by the airline company is clearly indicating that they are expecting their cabin crew to fit into the unrealistic beauty standards set by society. When the basic job profile of the cabin crew only requires them to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers during a flight, why should their weight be a concern?

Shouldn't Efficiency Matter Over Weight?

As long as the cabin crew is well qualified, skilled in enforcing safety procedures, and rises to the occasion in emergency situations, why should their weight be given such prominence? While it’s acceptable to ensure that they are fit to deal with certain emergency scenarios both physically and emotionally, how does the number on a weighing scale ascertain their efficiency?

The typical image of an air hostess has conventionally been someone fair-skinned, slim, and tall, wearing a blazer with a pencil-fit skirt, agonising heels, and tonnes of makeup. In what world is this standard equipping a female flight attendant to efficiently tackle an emergency situation? If you are a woman who wears heels at least occasionally, then you would know how excruciating it can be, even if all you did was make a presentation in a board room.

Now, given flight attendants have to walk back and forth the aisle several times, deliver food and beverages, help passengers with their luggage, etc., don’t they deserve to wear a comfortable outfit and shoes?

Indian airline company Akasa Air ditched the typical air hostess uniform and switched to comfortable trousers and sneakers. The crew uniform was designed by Rajesh Pratap Singh, who ensured that the clothes were designed to provide maximum comfort to the crew members considering the long hours they spend standing and walking.

Many netizens hailed this welcoming change by the airline company and hoped that more companies would follow in their footsteps. Because, why not? Flight attendants need to look presentable, but why does that necessarily mean they have to conform to unrealistic beauty standards and wear uncomfortable clothes?

Suggested Reading: Virgin Atlantic Launches Gender Neutral Uniforms: Here’s Why It Matters

Image Credits: NDTV

Views expressed by the author are their own