UK airlines have been told to use gender-neutral terminology to replace ‘outdated’ words.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates the safety and security in civil aviation in the UK.
Recently, as part of its inclusive language campaign, the organisation released guidance on certain aviation-related phrases.
The word ‘stewardess’ should no longer be used, according to the CAA, as it is not inclusive and can carry gendered issues.
‘Air hostess’ is another term encouraged to avoid when implying someone’s gender.
Instead, terms such as ‘flight attendant’ and ‘cabin crew member’ should take its place as they better reflect modern gender equality terms.
According to the CAA’s guide, which was made alongside the Diversity and Inclusion Board, airline workers who experience ‘offensive’ words like ‘air stewardess’ should suggest alternative terms, The Telegraph reports.
‘Manpower’ has also been urged to be swapped for ‘staffing’.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates the safety and security in civil aviation in the UK (stock)
Meanwhile, ‘denylist’ has been recommended instead of using the term ‘blacklist’ which can be seen as offensive.
The organisation does acknowledge that some language has been ‘common practice in aviation for many years’.
However, it notes that such words can be ‘barriers to people entering our industry and may make people feel unwelcome’.
It encourages those who use ‘outdated’ terms to apologise and ‘reflect on your use of language’.
The Daily Mail has approached the CAA for comment.
Back in 2021, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – America’s civil aviation regulator – brought in similar gender-related suggestions.
A transport advisory committee urged the organisation to replace terms including ‘cockpit’ and ‘airman’ with gender-neutral terms.
The suggestions were put forward in a report as part of the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee’s efforts to make the aviation industry more inclusive.
Recently, as part of its inclusive language campaign, the organisation released guidance on certain aviation-related phrases (stock)
It offered alternative gender-neutral phrases to replace the current FAA terms, including ‘flight deck’ instead of ‘cockpit’, ‘aircrew’ to replace ‘airman’ and ‘traditional aviation’ rather than ‘manned aviation’.
Giving a reason for the proposed change to ‘flight desk’, it claimed the term ‘cockpit’ has occasionally been used by male crew members to ‘exclude or undermine femme coworkers’.
‘Femme’ was originally used to describe a lesbian with feminine traits, but has since been updated to refer to ‘a queer person whose gender expression is considered to be feminine’.
The report stated: ‘Research shows that the utilisation of gender neutral language can lead to a more inclusive environment that draws more people to the industry and helps keep them there.
‘Accordingly, entities ranging from international bodies to airlines have adopted gender-neutral language.’
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UK airlines told to use gender-neutral terminology to replace ‘offensive’ and ‘outdated’ words
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