New 'Weight and Shape Standards' for Its Cabin Crew Lands Thai Airways In Trouble

Thai Airways has been accused of discrimination by flight attendants who failed to meet its new weight standards after they were given six months to shape up.

According to the Bangkok Post, the cabin crew have threatened to lodge a complaint with Thailand's National Human Rights Commission over the standards, News.com.au reported.

Under the new rules introduced last June female flight attendants must be under a BMI of 25 points and keep their waistline to 81cm, while men must stay under a BMI of 27.5 and a waistline of 89cm.

Those who did not meet the requirements were moved to domestic routes or single-day round trips, losing their international flight allowances.

The airline said that employees who don't lose the weight after a year will be transferred to ground services.

Thai Airways spokesman Teerapol Chotechanapibal said it was necessary to maintain weight standards and denied that the practice violated the rights of the crew.

He said that the regulation was aimed at improving the personality of flight attendants, with their health also having an impact on the safety of passengers.

One stewardess who wished not to be named said that the regulation was a form of discrimination as it applied only to flight attendants and not other staff.

A spokesperson for the nation's Labour Protection and Welfare Department said the regulation was not illegal and came within the authority of management, which was concerned about customer service.

Source: ANI