Air India and Air France are among the airlines flying “100% female-operated” flights today, efforts mean to commemorate International Women’s Day.
Air India says it’s flying 11 such flights, including on one of its ultra-long haul routes between New Delhi and Toronto.
The carrier has been flying since the 1980s, including one last year on its Mumbai-New York run. Also in 2010, Air India “operated a record 22 all-women’s crew flights across domestic and international networks,” according to India’s Economic Times.
As for Air France, it says it is flying a female-only crew today on Air France Flight 188 from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Hong Kong.
Air France says in a press release that a “fully female” crew of 18 will operate the flight, “welcoming a crew made up of 3 female pilots and 15 air hostesses.”
“Even if the flight is operated in the exact same conditions as any other for the passengers, seeing a women-only crew leaves a lasting impression on people,” Isabelle de Boves, first officer on the Boeing 777, says in the airline’s release.
“At the airport and hotel, people are always very kind with us,” she adds. “During these flights, our cabin crew colleagues show a strong sense of solidarity and the crew cohesion is always stronger as a result.”Air France says about 7% of its approximately 4,200 pilots are women. The airline adds “female flight captains pilot every type of aircraft, including the most recent aircraft to join the Air France fleet, the Airbus 380.”
Air France says it has flown “100% female-operated” on International Women’s Day in past years, as well. Previous destinations include routes to Beijing, Miami, New York, Mumbai and Tokyo.
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