China airline hires ‘air aunties’ as flight attendants, criticised for ‘disrespectful’ label
Shanghai-based budget carrier prefers women who are ‘married or with children’; says they have ‘life experience and empathy’ for passengers
A Chinese airline has sparked controversy online after it announced plans to hire married women and mothers as flight attendants and call them “air aunties”.
On October 22, the Shanghai-based Spring Airlines, China’s first budget carrier, announced openings for “air aunties”, saying they are seeking women aged between 25 and 40, preferably those who are married or with children.
Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree, be between 162 and 174cm tall and preferably have experience in customer service.
The roles are based in Shanghai and the northwestern city of Lanzhou, with plans to hire 30 to 60 people.
Chinese airlines usually hire flight attendants between 18 and 25.
A recruitment manager told China News Service that the so-called air aunties bring valuable life experience and empathy, which help them better care for children and elderly passengers.