• Source:JND
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A Chinese low-cost carrier, Spring Airlines, has found itself at the centre of public debate after announcing a new recruitment drive for married women and mothers, referring to them as “air aunties.” According to the South China Morning Post the initiative, unveiled on October 22, aims to diversify the airline’s workforce and promote more inclusive employment opportunities for women.

Airline’s New Hiring Policy

The Shanghai-based Spring Airlines, China’s first budget carrier, said it is looking to hire women between the ages of 25 and 40, preferably those who are married or have children. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, stand between 162 and 174 centimetres tall, and have some background in customer service.

The airline plans to recruit 30 to 60 candidates, with positions available in Shanghai and the northwestern city of Lanzhou. Traditionally, Chinese airlines have limited recruitment for flight attendants to younger women aged between 18 and 25.

A recruitment manager told China News Service that the so-called “air aunties” are expected to bring “life experience and empathy,” qualities seen as valuable when caring for elderly and young passengers on board.

Online backlash Over ‘Air Auntie’

While many welcomed the airline’s decision to offer opportunities to older women, the term “air auntie” has triggered widespread criticism across Chinese social media. The topic has attracted over 70 million views on Weibo and Douyin, with many calling the title “disrespectful.”

“This title highlights that they are older and married—it’s unnecessary and demeaning,” one user commented. Another said the word “auntie” evokes the image of a homemaker, reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Responding to the backlash, Spring Airlines clarified that the term was not meant to offend. “We wanted to distinguish them from unmarried applicants. Their duties, pay, and career progression remain identical to other flight attendants,” a company spokesperson said.

According to the airline, the term “air auntie” is not new. It dates back to the 1990s, when China’s civil aviation sector first began employing laid-off female textile workers as flight attendants. Over time, the phrase became part of the industry’s informal vocabulary.

Diverse Reactions To Move

Reports by Chao News indicate that Spring Airlines already employs 88 women under this category, with nearly three-quarters having advanced to management roles. One married flight attendant told the outlet, “We have an advantage over fresh graduates. We’ve raised children, cared for elders, and bring maturity and patience to the job.”

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The airline also offers discounted training fees for older applicants, although it has not clarified whether similar opportunities will be extended to men.

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Despite the controversy, the initiative has reignited discussions about gender roles, inclusivity, and workplace diversity in China’s aviation industry, an arena still heavily influenced by conventional beauty and age standards.

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