"Looking for 'Aviation Aunties'... Flight Attendant Recruitment Notice Sparks Controversy"

Controversy Over the Term "Aviation Auntie" in Recruitment of Married Women
Unusual Move in Chinese Aviation Industry, Which Typically Hires Women Under 25

A Chinese airline has sparked controversy by announcing a recruitment drive for married women and housewives as flight attendants, using the term "Aviation Auntie" in its job posting. On November 2, Chinese media outlet Chao News and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported that Spring Airlines, a low-cost carrier headquartered in Shanghai, China, recently unveiled plans to hire women aged 25 to 40, especially those who are married or have children. According to the job posting, applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree, be between 162cm and 174cm tall, and those with customer service experience will be given preference. The airline plans to hire between 30 and 60 people, with work locations in Shanghai and Lanzhou, in northwestern China.

Spring Airlines, a low-cost carrier headquartered in Shanghai, China, recently announced recruitment plans targeting women aged 25 to 40, especially those who are married or have children. Photo by China Daily

This announcement is unusual in the Chinese aviation industry, where it has typically been standard practice to hire young women aged 18 to 25 as flight attendants. A recruitment officer from Spring Airlines explained in an interview with local media that "married women have rich life experience and empathy, enabling them to better care for child and elderly passengers." Spring Airlines stated that this recruitment drive is part of its personnel policy to respect the diverse careers and life stages of women. In China, the legal retirement age for women is generally set at 50, so this hiring initiative is also seen as providing new opportunities for women who have experienced career interruptions.

Spring Airlines: "The term is only to distinguish applicants, with no intent to discriminate"

However, the use of the term "Aviation Auntie" during the recruitment process has become a point of contention. The phrase quickly went viral on Chinese social media, racking up more than 70 million views and sparking debate. Local netizens criticized it as "an offensive term for women" and said it "evokes the image of a traditional housewife."

In the Chinese aviation industry, it has been common to hire young women aged between 18 and 25 as flight attendants, making this announcement unusual. A recruitment officer from Spring Airlines explained in an interview with local media, "Married women have rich life experience and empathy, enabling them to better care for child and elderly passengers." The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Photo by China Daily

As the controversy spread, Spring Airlines clarified, "There was no intent to discriminate," adding, "The term is only used to distinguish married applicants, and work, salary, and promotion opportunities are the same as for other flight attendants." The company further explained that the expression "Aviation Auntie" originated in the 1990s, when the Chinese aviation industry began hiring female workers who had been laid off from textile factories as flight attendants.

One married female flight attendant said in an interview, "We have strengths compared to new graduates. We have experience in childcare and caring for the elderly, and we naturally take on a big sister role within the team." Spring Airlines currently employs 88 "Aviation Aunties," 74% of whom are reported to have been promoted to management positions. The company offers tuition discounts for older applicants, but has not yet decided whether to hire married male flight attendants.