Click to know the real reasons why airlines enforce weight limits for flight attendants
Click to know the real reasons why airlines enforce weight limits for flight attendants
Many people often mention that airlines prefer their flight attendants to be thin or slim due to company policies. Some airlines even instruct their flight attendants to manage or reduce their weight. It’s been reported that when a flight attendant gains weight or becomes overweight, they may be reassigned to ground staff roles. This has been observed in various airlines, including China’s Hainan Airlines and India’s Air India, where several flight attendants have been removed from flying duties and assigned to ground positions.
This raises the question: Why do airlines have an issue with weight? Why do they encourage flight attendants to remain slim?
Some airlines have disclosed a surprising reason for this practice. They claim it’s to minimize the overall weight of the aircraft. Reports suggest that for every additional kilogram of weight, the airline incurs an extra cost of 3 rupees per hour. This is why they recommend that flight attendants maintain a lower weight.
Because of these company policies, airlines save around 2 crore rupees annually, which is a considerable sum. This financial reason influenced Jet Airways to implement such a policy. Additionally, some airlines argue that excessive weight could hinder flight attendants from remaining agile during emergencies. The role of a flight attendant involves being active and responsive in critical situations.
To enforce these standards, some airlines have established specific Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria. For instance, they may set a BMI range of 18-25 for men and 22-27 for women.
