Korean Flight Attendants and why I should live on an airplane
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009Korean Flight Attendants
I hate traveling. Driving is lame. Airports make me nervous. Airplanes provide an expensive and ultimately unsatisfying napping experience. But on a Korean company’s airplane, you will find little to complain about (other than the fourteen hour flight). Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the fine men and women that make up the flight attendants of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.
Let’s talk about the flight attendants. They are young, let me tell you. Younger than their average Western counterpart. I don’t have numbers to prove it (which is usually a bad sign, but hey) but think about it. American flight attendants are working a job. They represent a fairly broad age demographic - some young, some old. It’s not that big of a deal because it’s like any other industry - new blood coming in while veterans retire thus keeping the cycle going. But apparently these young Korean flight attendants are like high school football stars in Texas - once you get a certain age, your chance is blown. You had one shot while you were young and once you’re done, a new, younger generation replaces you. Kind of harsh sounding, isn’t it?
For that matter, I see a much larger proportion of female flight attendants. Where’s all the guys? Strange, seeing how male flight attendants are in demand. Perhaps it’s like the teaching field - always a demand for quality male teachers but a short supply of young men who want to commit to teaching. I’m seeing a recipe for disaster…and wouldn’t you know it? Korean Air has had a troubled past regarding their hiring practices. Let’s hope that things have changed, yes?
But what about these hot young things? What makes them so worthy of a lowly blogger’s attention? Come on, people. These women aren’t born, raised, and groomed to be flight attendants. But something about those uniforms… Oh keep your minds out of the gutter. I’m not talking about how cute they are (which they are). But the aura of service they radiate is almost intimidating. Their attention to small details, pleasant demeanor, and unyielding veneer of professionalism is admirable. Even the male attendants have this dignified charm about them. They truly are the color of perfection or so says last year’s advertising campaign. Hey that’s a whole lot better than their first slogan.
But make no mistake, they are watching you as close as you are watching them. It’s just that they aren’t checking you out - they’re looking for potential risks and in my case, a potential husband. They are trained professionals and not just eye candy for your extra long trip. I mean, wouldn’t you want someone who was working a 14 hour shift to be on their guard for some goofball on the plane? Keep up the good work.
As someone who lives for good service (come on, who doesn’t it?) I absolutely love the service on Korean flights. They know you’re going to be on the plane for an eternity anyways, so might as well make it comfortable. Touch screen monitors, good food, decent leg room in coach, and unlimited supply of movies in Chinese, Japanese, English, and Korean. The only thing missing for me is a commons area to stand up and have a drink with fellow passengers (too much?). That would be awesome, though.
So, in summation, for someone who hates to fly, I love flying Korean. I’d live on a plane if I could. What are some of your experiences on an international Korean flight? Good service? Bad service?
Thoughts?
Posted by Matthew in How Koreans Do It |
July 14th, 2009 at 5:24 am
I haven’t flown to Korea, but I’m planning to go on Korean Air. They sound so sweet, plus I hear you get 비빔밥…
July 14th, 2009 at 6:59 am
I love Korean Air. Asiana is 2nd best, but yes. Whenever I fly into or out of Korea, I always make it point it’s Korean Air!
I think the main difference is the attitude. I’m used to people on American flights who don’t really care much for service. Like you said, it’s just a job for them. But the people on Korean Air, they look like they’re all working to keep their jobs! LOL. Maybe that is the case
Either way, love it!
July 14th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I think Asian airlines are good on service compared to American ones. Whether it’s Korean Air, Thai Airways or Singapore Airlines, they are all good..
July 15th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
the food is decent and plentiful. The touch screen computer DVD thing is incredible, and the free socks are always a plus. It’s hard not to like the service.
July 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
It’s always more expensive but always so worth it
July 18th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Uh oh, here comes Daniel with a dissenting voice…
I flew to Korea this last time with Korean Air, since the public school board demands it since they get a discount with them (and from what I’d heard about Korean Air, I was more than happy to comply). Yes, the flight was nice and comfortable (or at least as nice as a 13 hour long-haul flight can be), but a couple of comments.
First, thank you Matthew for bringing up Korean Air’s flight attendant hiring practices. When I went to Korean Air’s website, I saw the pictures of all the “perfect flight attendants”: young, skinny, female, the little hair ribbon perfectly in place, the friendly (though simultaneously subservient) smile… Of course, I figured that was just the website, not what I would encounter in real life. Imagine my surprise when I got on the plane, and realized that ALL the flight attendants seemed to have walked right out of the website.
All I can say is that was no accident. I’m sure that Korean Air doesn’t just discriminate gender-wise (like the blog post Matthew linked to says it does, and the human rights watchdog is after them for). But also, they must discriminate against non-skinny, non-gorgeous, over-32 women. On one hand, I can understand that flight attendants are the face of Korean Air, and therefore important to their branding strategy (hey, those flights aren’t cheap…). But… All I’m saying is that their corporate hiring strategy wouldn’t fly in “discrimination-tribunal-happy” North America…
Also– and this is small potatoes– on my flight, the drinks service was so inefficient! On regular flights I’ve been on, they come with a cart down the middle and serve drinks from there. On Korean Air, they come with a plate of drinks, and let the passengers choose. OK, it’s a little classier than a giant cart, but it took FOREVER to get around the plane. Also, there were a couple times that they missed my row, because they ran out of drinks and thought that they had asked everyone. Being the over-polite Canadian I am, I didn’t bother ringing the bell to ask for my orange juice, but still…
Man, this rant doesn’t make me sound like a curmudgeon, does it? OK, maybe just a mini-curmudgeon with not enough to do on a 장마 rainy Saturday afternoon… So, I’ll end on a positive note. Yes, you can get 비빔밥 as your dinner, and it is incredibly delicious!
July 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
OK, I’m horrified at how long that post turned out to be, after I pressed the submit button. It’s almost as long as Matthew’s blog post! Time to do something else… :S
July 18th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I was only 2-3 times on Korean airlines, only for domestic flight(?).
Cheaper choice was there for me when travel to London, the first and last travel to other countries.
I rememer how I loved the cup noodle I could have on Japanese airline on my way home to korea, after 4 years.
And yes, they are young and pretty… taller than me!
I can’t even apply for the job, you know.
Too short to be a flight attendant.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:22 am
@ Daniel - haha no worries man. you don’t come off as all cantankerous or anything like that. and I agree -IMO their hiring practices wouldn’t last six months in America w/o at least a few dozen formal complaints…
@ 영희 - In your opinion, do you feel Korean flights have good service? Is it just because American flights have mediocre service? Would you say that being a Korean flight attendant is considered to be a good job?
July 20th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I will definitely be sure to fly Korean Airlines, then, once I manage to go there!!! ^_^
Just randomly (how’s this for sleepiness?!), when I looked at your picture, for half a second I thought “Mr Sun” was referring to 현우 씨! HAHAHA. =P *Fail*
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Yeah, the service on Korean Air is definitely the best. On my last flight, a flight attendant would come get a fussy toddler from the dad who was across the aisle from me and walk her around the plane until she calmed down.
Also, after 14 hours…the flight attendants still look perfectly put together, while the rest of us look like a train wreck from all that travel time. How DO they do it?
July 28th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Why does this article sound like only men and lesbians would benefit from flying Korean Air? That’s too bad they won’t hire male eye candy.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
@ Ali - they seem to do anything and everything that is required to make the trip safe and sound. And look nice while doing it.
@ Jenny - I hear you. Like I mentioned, their hiring practices have come under minor internal scrutiny but nothing like it should be. If the goal is to hire good looking people, one would think the process applies to both men and women. For the few male attendants that I’ve seen, they are older, more dignified and decidedly less-handsome than their female coworkers - but still maintained the same professional air. It seems that the eye candy is limited to women at this point.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Well, I don’t remember how I got on to this blog but it was way interesting than I expected.
I recently applied for ‘the job’ and surprisingly.. I got it. I’m not Korean though, they hire foreign girls from some countries. Now I’m waiting for my flight to Korea which will be in early August and then several months of training is awaiting me…
Anyways, reading your post brought much sense of responsibility to me. At the same time, I’m excited about all the challenges and experiences.
Now, I feel like starting a new blog just to write about all the experiences I’m going to have soon!
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I’ve flown Asiana several times but not Korean Air as they are usually pricer. But I definitely agree the service is fantastic. I’m not sure if they are just outstanding or it just seems so compared to American flights though. Most American domestic flights I’ve flown were terrible at service and are generally very cranky. I understand working on a plane may not be so comfortable but the crankiness does wear off to the passengers when greeted with a flight attendant who seem annoyed when I ask for a blanket. (Did you know they charge you for blankets now? wtf?) I think Korean flight attendants are usually more understanding because their flights are so long, and if you’re on a 14 hour flight, you are basically living with them for a day. If your roommate is cranky all the time home just doesn’t feel so comfy.
November 20th, 2009 at 6:58 am
,..] blogs.koreanclass101.com is one nice source of information on this topic,..]
August 16th, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Can ask a question? I’m a filipino but I wanna be a flight attendant of Korean Air can you send me a brochure or whatsoever about the qualifications, and everything on my email kira_misa143@yahoo.com
August 16th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
CAN YOU SEND ME BROCHURE ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS TO BECOME A FLIGHT ATTENDANT OF KOREAN AIR?? HERE’S MY EMAIL kira_misa143@yahoo.com
August 17th, 2010 at 10:00 am
※ 본 안내문은 2007년 상반기(7월) 채용시 적용되었던 사항이니 참고 바랍니다.
대한항공 채용홈페이지 (recruit.koreanair.co.kr) 을 통한 인터넷 접수
※ 우편, 방문 접수 및 E-mail을 통한 접수는 실시하지 않습니다.
신장 162cm 이상, 교정시력 1.0이상인 자
TOEIC 550점 이상 취득한 자 (2005년 8월 이후 국내 정기시험 성적에 한함)
2008년 3월 이전 2년제 대학 이상 졸업자 및 2학년 이상 수료 가능한 자
단, 재학생의 경우 2008년 3월 이전 입사 가능자에 한함
전공 제한이 없으며, 학업 성적이 우수하고 해외 여행에 결격사유가 없는 자
※ 2년간 인턴 근무 후 소정의 심사를 거쳐 정규직 전환
1차면접시 : TOEIC 성적표 원본 1부
2차면접시 : 최종학교 성적증명서 1부
졸업(예정) 증명서 1부
기타 자격증 사본 (소지한 분에 한함)
국가 보훈 대상자는 관계 법령에 의거하여 우대합니다.
서류전형 합격자는 채용 홈페이지에 별도 공지 예정입니다.
제출된 서류는 채용목적 이외에는 사용하지 않으며, 일체 반환하지 않습니다
August 17th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Hello Jay Paul~~
Here is info above… and website http://recruit.koreanair.co.kr/
best,
Tim
February 19th, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Pros:
Korean Air Flight Attendants, I love them meanwhile I hate them … They are the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen haha.
Loved the service and their kindness, indeed we get some 비빔밥 and double 김치
- Expensive but so worth it ^^/ ~~
Cons: stereotypes are the same for korean air flight attendants, they can’t understand why a white girl speaks korean without being an English teacher .. I got shocked to hear “Would you like Korean Rice”. I was like .. “What’s the Chinese rice then ? Oh you meant 비빔밥 .. now I got it.”
But as a girl .. maybe one male flight attendant would be a good idea ? (just to kill time .. ahem ahem haha)
Stereotypes aside … still worth it
February 21st, 2011 at 10:23 am
I do agree to your opinion, Kim…
One male flight attendant for You would be great, right!?? haha~~!
thanks for the comment,
cheers,
Tim
October 9th, 2011 at 4:23 am
They are all really nice and friendly, though it is true that discriminate a bit. I have seen an older lady before.. She looked about 30 or 40 (I’m Korean, so I can tell >.
November 27th, 2011 at 3:56 am
I am a stewardess for asiana airlines. one of only 4 american girls.it’s hard work but I love it!
January 19th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
hi! does Korean Airline hire foreign flight attendants? like a filipina? (fluent in English, knows Korean, Mandarin, Nihonggo, French, and german)