Spring Airlines has started a national debate after announcing a new plan to hire married women and mothers between the ages of 25 and 40 as flight attendants. The airline called them “air aunties,” a phrase that quickly went viral and divided opinions across China.
The airline, which is known as China’s first low-cost carrier, said that it wants to bring more diversity and empathy into the aviation industry. It explained that married women and mothers can offer passengers better care and understanding, especially for children and elderly travelers. However, many people online called the phrase “air aunties” disrespectful and outdated, saying that it reflects old stereotypes about women and age.
Spring Airlines announced that it is offering between 30 and 60 flight attendant positions based in Shanghai and Lanzhou. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, be between 162 and 174 centimeters tall, and preferably have previous experience in customer service. The company said that the new group of flight attendants would be paid and trained the same as any other staff.
A recruitment manager told China News Service that older women bring “valuable life experience and greater empathy,” which helps them deal with passengers in stressful situations. “They know how to calm a crying child or comfort an elderly traveler. These are skills that come naturally with life experience,” the manager said.
Other Chinese airlines only hire women aged 18 to 25, often preferring those who are unmarried and meet strict beauty standards. The Spring Airlines move is therefore seen as an unusual but progressive step for China’s aviation industry. Yet, it did not take long for social media users to react strongly.
Within hours of the announcement, the topic “Air Aunties” began trending on Weibo, where it gathered more than 70 million views. Some users applauded the decision, saying that it was refreshing to see an airline value maturity and empathy over youth and appearance. One user commented, “Nothing wrong with this. All I know is that they’ll take good care of passengers.” Another wrote, “Older women are patient and kind. I’d feel safer being looked after by them.”
But the backlash soon followed. Many called the term “auntie” disrespectful. “This title is so dismissive to women,” one social media user wrote. “It points out that they are older and married, not professionals.” Another said, “The word ‘auntie’ makes it sound like they’re housewives caring for families, not skilled workers representing an airline.”
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In many parts of Asia, the word “auntie” is used as a polite way to refer to older women, but it can also sound patronizing or old-fashioned. That’s why the phrase caused mixed feelings among people in China.
Spring Airlines defended its choice of words. The company said that it never intended to offend anyone and that “air aunties” would have the same pay, benefits, and career paths as all other flight attendants. A spokesperson said the term was only meant to distinguish married or experienced applicants from younger ones. “We wanted to highlight life experience, not age,” the spokesperson said.
The airline added that this concept is not new. It explained that the term “air auntie” dates back to the 1990s, when China’s civil aviation industry first began hiring laid-off textile workers as flight attendants. “The title was used to show respect to those women who rejoined the workforce,” the airline said.
Spring Airlines already employs 88 “air aunties,” and 74 percent of them have moved up to management positions. A married flight attendant told Chao News, “We have an edge over new graduates. We have worked before, raised kids, and cared for elders. We understand passengers’ needs better.”
The controversy has also opened a wider discussion about gender and employment in China. Many experts say that this case reflects the struggle women face when balancing family and career. A sociologist from Beijing said, “Hiring older women is a positive step, but the term used matters. It should promote respect, not highlight age or marital status.”
Still, others believe the airline deserves credit for expanding opportunities to a group of women who are often ignored in the job market. “At least they are giving chances to those who usually don’t get them,” one user said. “Maybe this will change how other airlines think about experience and age.”
Spring Airlines said it would continue the recruitment drive and promote inclusivity within its team. The airline also shared that it lowers training fees for older applicants to make it easier for them to join. However, it did not confirm whether it plans to hire older male flight attendants as well.
One Weibo user said, “If they can fly safely, smile genuinely, and treat passengers kindly, it shouldn’t matter if they’re 20 or 40. What matters is the heart behind the uniform.”
