Cabin Crew Through The Ages: A Brief History of Flight Attendants

We know that the job of a cabin crew or flight attendant is a much-desired profession and the childhood dream of many aspiring aviators. The definition of the role is that cabin crew are there for the safety and well-being of the passengers – as well as each other. Safety is the top priority, with service being the second. Cabin crew may work for an airline, on a private jet, or sometimes in the military.

The origins of the ‘flight attendant’ or ‘air steward’ title are thought to have come from the maritime world, and this legacy is still seen today in the airline career ladder in roles such as ‘purser’ or ‘chief steward.’ But where did it all begin?

Early days

The first flight attendant was reportedly Heinrich Kubis in 1912, who worked on German airships. Despite the profession later becoming a female-dominated domain, many early flight attendants, such as Heinrich Kubis himself, were males. He was a professional waiter who had worked in luxury hotels around the world and moved on to work on the infamous Hindenburg airship that exploded in 1937.

Kubis was responsible for overseeing the servers and chefs, and was working when the disaster occurred. He helped passengers down from the dining area and assisted some in jumping to safety, before escaping without injury.

1920s – 1940s

In the 1920s, the role of flight attendants became more diverse. For example, it was during this decade that Imperial Airways in the UK started to recruit cabin boys who could load luggage and reassure the passengers.

Meanwhile, in 1929, Pan Am in the USA was the first carrier to have onboard ‘stewards’ who served food. Then, in the 1930s, Boeing Air Transport and registered nurse Ellen Church worked together to devise a scheme where nurses were hired for 3 months at a time to travel onboard and look after the passengers and quell their fear of flying. She became the world’s first female flight attendant.

However, during the Second World War, many of the nurses were enlisted into the armed forces as part of the ongoing war efforts. As a result of this, the requirement for flight attendants to have nursing backgrounds was changed.

1950-1970

In the ’50s and ’60s, being an air hostess, or air stewardess as it became known, was seen as an elite profession, but conditions were very strict. Only young unmarried females were accepted, and appearance was very important. If you wanted to get married, you had to resign, and the girls retired by the age of 30.

The uniforms were form-fitting, and featured accessories including the likes of hats, high-heeled shoes, and white gloves. As a result of this, a certain glamorous reputation was always perceived. In the late 1960s, the fashion started to change to move with the times, and mini skirts and hot pants became more widespread.

Airlines used the stewardess image to appeal to mostly male passengers traveling for business, selling a provocative and promiscuous look. Things changed again in the ’70s, with the start of unions, equal rights between men and women, and less discrimination. More males started to join as ‘air stewards,’ which later changed to ‘flight attendant’ in the US for male and female employees.

The 1980s and onwards

As more time passed, and conventions changed, airlines adapted to a business-style look for their flight attendant uniforms, and the dress code became slightly more functional. The role of the flight attendant had slightly changed, in that they were being regarded in terms of safety, and not just service and appearance.

Challenges

Appearance and image is still a very important factor for many airlines. That being said, things have become fairer in terms of discrimination, with weight regulations bring dropped in the late 1990s. By the early 2000s, female cabin crew could stave off retirement until age 55. Uniforms are still important, but are tested for functionality, and some carriers are adopting a gender-neutral approach.

Recent years have seen some airlines allow visible tattoos and make-up for male and female employees. However, in the Middle East and Asia, there are many restrictions, resulting in an abundance of young female cabin crew.

Since the introduction of tougher safety regulations, the role of a flight attendant is a more difficult job than it used to be. The modern name for the profession of ‘cabin crew’ reflects that the first priority is safety. The coronavirus pandemic created more challenges in recent years, with many cabin crew losing their jobs as the world ground to a halt, and some never returning to the industry.

Disruptive passenger incidents have risen remarkably, and we have seen chaos following a surge of people wanting to travel. At the same time, airlines struggle with limited capacity, which adds further to the challenges for cabin crew. Sadly, for many currently working, the hours are longer and the salary lower than ever. No doubt, there are difficult times ahead, but the role will surely continue to evolve.

Source:  simplrflying.com