Today Is International Flight Attendant Day

By Paul Riegler on 31 May 2019
  • Share

Coffee, tea, or applause? Friday, May 31, is International Flight Attendant Day, a holiday that recognizes flight attendants for their work.

The job of flight attendant goes back to 1912, when Heinrich Kubis attended to passengers on board the Zeppelin LZ 10 Schwaben, operated by DELAG, or Deutsch Luftschiffahrts-Aktiengesellschaft.

Originally referred to as stewards, a term borrowed from the maritime industry, the position has evolved into one focused as much on safety as on passenger service.

U.K.-based Imperial Airways employed cabin boys and stewards in the 1920s, as did Pan American World Airways and Western Airlines.

Until 1930, with the hiring of Ellen Church by United Airlines, the profession remained exclusively mail.

Airlines celebrated the day by showing their appreciation to the cabin crew members. American Airlines is offering special meals to flight attendants throughout its network and also providing gifts and prizes throughout the day.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)

Related posts:

  1. American Airlines Integrates Flight Attendant Operations, a Final Step in its Merger with US Airways
  2. Dog Bites Flight Attendant on American Airlines Flight
  3. American First Mainline Carrier to Deploy Electronic Flight Attendant Manuals
  4. Alaska Airlines, Flight Attendant Union Reach Tentative Agreement

Accura News