Femininity in Flight

Reshaping gender in airline employment

“…It is important to identify the historical emergence of these roles. The flight attendant occupation, for example, which took permanent shape in the 1930s (Barry, 2007), previously required a nursing degree to attend to the 'safety' and 'care' of passengers (Huang, 2011). Major airlines, including Northwest and Trans World Airlines, placed additional requirements on physical appearance, i.e.…”

“…Major airlines, including Northwest and Trans World Airlines, placed additional requirements on physical appearance, i.e. maximum weight (53kg), height (1.63m) and age (25) and marital status (single) (Barry, 2007;Huang, 2011). Consequently, the image of the flight attendant became that of the 'pretty', 'slim', 'young', 'available sky girl' (Barry, 2007); a common appearance demanded of women working in the tourism and hospitality sector (Baum, 2012;Sinclair, 1997).…”

“…maximum weight (53kg), height (1.63m) and age (25) and marital status (single) (Barry, 2007;Huang, 2011). Consequently, the image of the flight attendant became that of the 'pretty', 'slim', 'young', 'available sky girl' (Barry, 2007); a common appearance demanded of women working in the tourism and hospitality sector (Baum, 2012;Sinclair, 1997). Airlines play a crucial role in relation to the tourism industry, in part by establishing symbolism surrounding the ideal tourism worker.…”

“…Despite their early involvement, the role of women in the aviation industry in the 1930s was mostly limited to stereotypical 'feminine' roles (i.e. nurse and hostess) (Barry, 2007). Shaped and disciplined by androcentric biased airline organisational cultures and structures, the image of the female flight attendant and the male pilot has persisted through generations.…”