Chinese Airline's Decision To Suspend 'Overweight' Flight Attendants Receives Backlash

Hainan Airlines, a prominent Chinese airline, has recently found itself at the center of public backlash due to its implementation of a controversial policy.?

The airline has faced criticism for suspending cabin crew members if their weight exceeds the prescribed limit.

In early June, Hainan Airlines introduced a "weight reference standard," a set of guidelines swiftly gaining traction on social media platforms.?

These guidelines specifically delineate body size and weight control standards for female flight attendants, establishing different thresholds based on their respective job levels within the airline.

Additionally, they argue that flight attendants' capacity to carry out their duties effectively shouldn't be solely based on their physical attributes or weight.

Agencies

The airline initially said it would suspend female flight attendants who exceeded the "standard limit."

Still, it was later clarified that the new policy would apply to all cabin crew, regardless of gender.

Hainan Airlines crew members' "standard" weight will be determined based on height.?

The formula for calculating the standard weight of female flight attendants is?"height (cm) -110 = standard weight (kg)."?For example, if a flight attendant is 158 cm (5.1 feet) tall, they would need to maintain a weight of 48 kg.

According to Hainan Airlines ' guidelines, the company will closely monitor crew members every month to prevent weight gain if they exceed the weight limit by less than 5%.?

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Female crew members who are 10% overweight will face immediate suspension and must follow a weight reduction plan.

Hainan Airlines confirmed to CNN that they had introduced a weight reference standard, but they emphasized that it would apply to all crew members, not just females.

The airline explained that the standard weight is derived from a reference to the average human body weight and aligned with the range considered healthy for the crew.

They further stated that these guidelines aim to improve the crew's overall health, physical condition, and posture management.

"This is intended to advocate healthy living habits and maintain a good professional image and healthy physique by anchoring the reference target, rather than passively waiting for individual crew members’ physiques to change significantly and then affect safety service work," the airline said.

The policy has sparked considerable controversy and public outcry.?

Critics argue that such weight-based standards perpetuate discrimination and body-shaming, undermining the principles of equality and inclusivity.

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