Fat attendants taboo on airlines

Manila Bulletin
May 30, 2011
By CHRISTIAN OELRICH

 BANGKOK (dpa) – A dispute at Thai Airways over a requirement that flight attendants meet weight and shape standards has sparked a debate over how important appearance is for the job.

Under the weight-loss rules, which the airline believes will help it increase passenger numbers, female attendants have to keep their Body Mass Index (BMI) below 25 points and their waistlines no more than 32 inches, while males must keep their BMI to 27.5 and waistlines to 35 inches.

Over a year ago, staff was given six months to lose the necessary weight and the company organized dietary and fitness advice to help.

Tests this spring saw 41 of the 6,000 flight attendants fail to pass the new standards, resulting in disciplinary proceedings.

Those who failed the tests were shifted to domestic routes while flight attendants unable to comply after a year have been told they will be transferred to ground services.

While the attendants have accused Thai Airways of discrimination and of violating their rights, the company doesn't understand the furore its decision has caused, saying the move was necessary to maintain weight standards.

The attractiveness of its flight attendants gives Thai Airways a competitive advantage over its rivals, said Teerapol Chotechanapibal, vice-president for products and customer services.

Some employees have refused to take the disciplinary action lying down, however, and have have lodged a formal complaint against their employers on the grounds of discrimination.

''The issue is now being addressed by a court so we are not able to comment until a verdict has been handed down,'' said Thai Airways spokeswoman Charlene Suddhimondala.

Thai Airways is not the only airline in Asia that has introduced weight requirements for its flight attendants.

''We are weighed once a year,'' revealed Oi Leng, a stewardess with Malaysia Airways (MAS), although the company said the requirements had nothing to do with beauty standards.

''Malaysia Airlines places top priority on the health of our cabin crew. This is important to ensure they are fit to perform their duties and help passengers in the event of an emergency. Our emphasis is on fitness and health rather than weight,'' said Mohd Salleh Ahmad Tabrani, MAS senior vice-president for inflight services.

At MAS, the tracking of weight is based on BMI readings of below 23 for female crew and 25 for male crew. The retirement age is 43 and 48 for female non-supervisory and supervisory crew respectively.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) also follow the practice.