Flight Attendants Through the Years

In the early years, those wishing to fly put up with uncomfortable seats and no real safety equipment.

At the dawn of commercial aviation, flying was an exclusive experience, reserved for the wealthy and adventurous. Passengers traveled in small, unpressurized cabins, and flying was considered more of a novelty than a necessity. Among the many changes that have shaped the airline industry, one of the most fascinating transformations has been the evolution of the role we now call a flight attendant. From its origins as the “stewardess” to the modern-day gender-neutral title of flight attendant or cabin crew, this role has grown alongside commercial aviation itself, adapting to changes in technology, societal norms and passenger needs.

Flight attendants work long hours with irregular schedules along with frequent time zone changes.

Flight attendants have challenging jobs, yet theirs are among the most desired in the industry. The position of flight attendant can be traced back to the maritime era when stewards were responsible for managing the safety and security of everyone onboard. While the legacy continues, the flight attendant job has become more difficult and equally rewarding for those who choose this career path. They’re tasked with ensuring the safety of the aircraft and the well-being of its occupants, including the crew, and they undergo rigorous training before being certified to work on a commercial flight. In fact, under US law, no person may serve as a flight attendant aboard an aircraft of an air carrier unless that person holds a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Their  primary responsibility is to keep passengers safe, ensuring that everyone follows security regulations and that the flight deck is secure while also making flights comfortable for passengers. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how the position evolved from the early years of commercial aviation to the present day. 

Heinrich Kubis looked after zeppelin passengers and supervised a crew of 12 stewards and 4 cooks.

The world’s first flight attendant was reportedly a gentleman named Heinrich Kubis, a professional waiter from Germany, who had worked in luxury hotels around the world. He tended to passengers aboard the German Zeppelin Airship Delag and began caring for passengers in1912 on the Zeppelin Schwaben. He served as chief steward on all future German passenger zeppelins including Bodensee (which made scheduled flights within Germany in 1919), Graf Zeppelin  (which offered regularly scheduled transatlantic service from 1931 to 1937), and the ill-fated 70-passenger Hindenburg, which exploded in 1937 during a landing attempt at the Naval Air Station Lakehurst in New Jersey. Kubis was responsible for overseeing the chefs and servers and was working when the disaster occurred. He helped passengers down from the dining area and assisted some in jumping to safety before escaping himself without injury.

Ellen Church was featured on the dust jacket cover of The Age of Flight, a history of United Airlines.

During the 1920s, the role of flight attendant became more diverse. For example, Imperial Airways in the UK started recruiting cabin boys who could load luggage while reassuring passengers. Meanwhile, in 1929, Pan American World Airways was the first carrier to have “stewards” onboard who served food. Boeing Air Transport (later United Airlines) worked with registered nurse Ellen Church to devise a program whereby nurses were hired for three months at a time to travel onboard, look after the passengers and quell their fear of flying. She became the world's first female flight attendant on May 15, 1930. However, during the Second World War, many nurses were enlisted into the armed forces as part of the ongoing war effort and, as a result, the requirement for flight attendants to have nursing backgrounds was changed.

The style of the 1960s came to the small screen in the 2011-2012 sexy period drama titled Pan Am.

In the 1950s and ‘60s being a stewardess was a special calling, but conditions were very strict. Only young, single females were accepted and appearance was very important. If one wished to marry, she had to resign and so most of the women “retired” by the age of 30. Their uniforms were form-fitting and featured accessories, including hats, high-heeled shoes, and white gloves. As a result, flight attendants were seen as worldly and glamorous. This was epitomized in a scene from the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. Set in the mid-1960s, Leonardo DiCaprio’s character impersonates a Pan Am pilot surrounding himself with a group of smartly-dressed supposed flight attendants. The group walks in unison down a concourse at the Miami Airport with the women’s purses in upraised arms - all to the rapt admiration of travelers they pass. By the late 1960s however, fashion changed and mini skirts and hot pants became more widespread. Airlines then used the stewardess image to appeal to mostly male passengers traveling for business, selling a provocative and promiscuous look.

Braniff's Pucci-fashioned plastic bubble helmet was designed to protect hairdos on windy tarmacs.

This was quite a blatantly sexist period for the airlines and they played it to the hilt. “Marriage is fine! But shouldn’t you see the world first?” questioned a 1967 United Airlines ad. Given that the Civil Aeronautics Board then prohibited airlines from setting their own fares, flight attendants became a valuable marketing tool to one-up the competition. Braniff International Airways asked, “Does your wife know you’re flying with us?” Pan Am inquired "How do you like your stewardesses?" Uniforms became sexier, too, and in 1965, high fashion came to the skies when Italian designer Emilio Pucci unveiled Braniff's space-age uniforms. "For this brief, fleeting moment, airline fashion actually leapt to the forefront of fashion itself," says John Hill, assistant director of aviation at San Francisco International Airport’s SFO Museum. The reception of these uniforms was mixed, provoking both fascination for their high-fashion style and criticism for their impracticality and objectification of women. 

Ever-greater numbers of males have entered the industry joining the ranks of flight attendants.

By the 1970s though, societal attitudes were beginning to shift. The feminist movement gained momentum, challenging traditional gender roles and pushing for greater equality in the workplace. The airline industry was no exception. The term “stewardess” began to fade, replaced by the more inclusive and gender-neutral term flight attendant. This change reflected a broader recognition of the role’s complexity and professionalism. No longer seen as just servers in the sky, flight attendants were acknowledged as critical members of the crew, responsible for ensuring passenger safety during every commercial flight. Airlines also began hiring male flight attendants during this period, further breaking down stereotypes associated with the job. Physical requirements, such as weight and marital status, were gradually eliminated, making the profession more accessible to a diverse group of candidates. These changes represented a significant cultural shift, emphasizing skills and expertise over appearance.

Cabin crew the world over are dedicated to ensuring their passengers' safety and security.

In today’s aviation landscape, flight attendants are recognized for their professionalism, expertise, and versatility. Their primary role is to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers, but their responsibilities go far beyond serving food and beverages. Modern-day cabin crew are extensively trained in first aid, emergency procedures and conflict resolution. The emphasis on safety is especially important. From managing in-flight medical emergencies to handling the effects of turbulence or evacuations, flight attendants are the first line of defense in ensuring the well-being of everyone on board. Additionally, their ability to remain calm under pressure and adapt to diverse passenger needs makes them an integral part of any flight. The position has also become increasingly inclusive, with flight attendants representing a wide range of backgrounds, and cultures. Airlines now prioritize professionalism over outdated stereotypes, ensuring that the members of the crew reflect the global nature of the airline industry.

Until next time...safe travels.

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