"Female Flight Attendants Not Allowed to Board if Overweight"… Controversy Over Chinese Airline Regulations

Standard Weight Calculation Method Specified as 'Height (cm) - 110'
Local Lawyer: "Unjustified Suspension of Work Is Illegal"

A Chinese airline is facing controversy after demanding weight loss from overweight female flight attendants, excluding them from work.

On the 9th, Hainan (海南) Airlines reportedly sent a notice titled 'Professional Image Inspection and Management Guidelines' to its cabin crew, according to Chinese media including Pengpai Newspaper on the 9th.

On the 9th, Hainan Airlines recently sent a notice titled "Professional Image Inspection and Management Guidelines" to its cabin crew, according to Chinese media such as Pengpai News on the 9th. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]

The notice classified female flight attendants based on body shape and weight, stating that those exceeding the standard weight would be suspended from flying and required to lose weight. The airline's standard weight calculation method is 'height (cm) - 110.' For a flight attendant who is 165 cm tall, the standard weight would be 55 kg.

The airline said it would regularly monitor the weight of female flight attendants who are up to 5% overweight. Additionally, those exceeding the standard weight by more than 10% would be immediately suspended from flying and required to lose weight.

The airline emphasized, "Introducing weight requirements for female flight attendants beyond regular duties is meant to maintain a professional image," adding, "Hainan Airlines should serve as an attractive business card externally."

The airline industry immediately reacts against female flight attendants' weight standards

Airlines have stated that they will regularly monitor the weight of female flight attendants who are 5% or less overweight. They also have a policy to immediately suspend flights for flight attendants whose weight exceeds the standard by more than 10% and require them to lose weight. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Pixabay]

The airline industry is opposing the weight standards for female flight attendants, calling it unprecedented. Experts have also pointed out that it may violate labor laws.

They argue that it is necessary to examine whether restricting female workers' weight and imposing additional labor obligations such as weight loss is lawful.

According to local media Shangyu News, Guo Gang, a lawyer from a law firm in Sichuan, emphasized, "Restricting workers' weight and suspending their work without legal grounds is absolutely illegal."

Pengpai reported, "This is the first time among Chinese airlines that suspension from flying has been specified for female flight attendants exceeding the standard weight."