Thailand Travel News: Passengers flying on Thailand’s national flag carrier, Thai Airways International (THAI), should soon start noticing younger flight attendants serving their in-flight needs.

THAI has introduced a mutual separation plan (MSP) that targets female flight attendants over the age of 45, with the intention of replacing them with younger, less-costly models.

Senior flight attendants currently earn around Bt100,000 (about $US3,000) per month and under the MSP offers flight attendants with 15 years or more experience 30 times their monthly salary to quit the flying life.

In addition to rejuvenating the THAI image, THAI president Piyasvasti Amranand said the MSP would also help the airline trim operating costs, with younger flight attendants only earning Bt30,000 ($US900) per month.

The current average age of THAIs 4,800 female flight attendants is between 35 and 38 – considerably older than competing airlines – with about 800 aged over 45. About 400 of THAIs 1,200 male flight attendants are likewise aged over 45, but they are not covered by the MSP at this time.

Unlike neighbouring Singapore Airlines where flight attendants can only work as cabin crew for 10 years, many of THAIs older female flight attendants have been pushing carts and closing overhead lockers for between 20 and 25 years.

In attempt to bring the average age of female cabin crew down to about 30, THAI has budgeted about Bt300m ($US9m) for the MSP, with about 200 flight attendants expected to take up the offer.

By John Le Fevre

Thailand Travel News for January 5, 2010