Times are changing, and more airlines are challenging the status quo by employing a more diverse set of cabin crew. Cebu Pacific recently hired its second group of transwoman cabin crew. Virgin Atlantic recently introduced gender-neutral uniforms, allowing cabin crew to choose which type of uniform to wear regardless of gender.
Some airlines have also permitted visible tattoos on cabin crew members while on the job. As you can see, times are changing with airlines allowing “self-expression,” which allows crew members to express who they are and their unique identities while at work, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their jobs.
AirAsia and Cebu Pacific
Both AirAsia Philippines and Cebu Pacific have been allowing transgenders to apply. However, it was only Cebu Pacific who was successfully able to employ a few. AirAsia was supposed to accept its very first transgender cabin crew even before Cebu Pacific but unfortunately, the candidate did not push through.
AirAsia allows cabin crew to wear their own make-up and hairstyle as long as it complements the red uniform. The cabin crew is even allowed to color their hair, but they must still adhere to certain rules.
Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, is an airline that has truly broken free from convention. To begin with, they are the first airline in the Philippines to hire transgender people, with Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug as the first pair. This opened the door to more transgender people who had always wanted to be flight attendants. Cebu Pacific hired more transgender cabin crew this year.
While most Philippine airlines still require a minimum height, Cebu Pacific recently added a minimum arm reach requirement in place of the height requirement. Cebu Pacific recently hired a flight attendant who stands 5’1″. However, this 5’1″ woman previously worked for PALexpress before joining Cebu Pacific. As a result, her attitude, social skills, communication skills, and exceptional performance during her recruitment must have gotten her in.
Opening the doors to more cabin crew aspirants
The recent trend of airlines gradually breaking away from the norms and employing a more diverse cabin crew has given many cabin crew aspirants hope. I know a lot of LGBTQ cabin crew hopefuls who are hesitant to apply because they are afraid of being rejected because they are transgender. Given where the trend is now, they should not be afraid to apply. Of course, they must still meet the minimum qualifications and requirements for the position of cabin crew.
The aviation industry is set to become more exciting in the coming months and years! And I continue to hope that more airlines will have a more diverse set of cabin crew in the future.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
