In the aftermath of World War II, Air France rebuilt itself and expanded in scale. The airline renewed its fleet, developed its long-haul network and accompanied the spectacular rise of air travel. Aircraft began to carry more passengers, flight durations grew longer, and the number of stopovers was reduced. On-board service had to transform as well. For in Air France’s earliest days, the presence of commercial cabin crew was far from a given. Before the war, only stewards provided what was still a limited service, often on short flights.
It was in this context that Air France recruited, in 1946, its first 11 female flight attendants. With them, a new chapter in the airline’s history began: that of a profession in the making, destined to take shape, become professionalized, and emerge as one of the most iconic faces of the French travel experience.
1946: responding to a new world of aviation
Nationalized in 1945, Air France resumed operations in 1946 amid a period of strong expansion. The Paris-New York route, inaugurated that same year and whose 80th anniversary Air France will soon celebrate, could last nearly 24 hours. Technical advances allowed for longer flights and increased aircraft capacity; competition between airlines intensified; passenger expectations evolved.
The recruitment of the first stewardesses was a repsonse to this new reality. Their mission complemented that of the stewards: welcoming passengers, putting them at ease, looking after children, and contributing to the overall quality of the journey. The profession was still to being invented, yet it quickly established itself as an essential component of on-board service.
From an on-board service to a highly qualified profession
Over the decades, the profession has evolved profoundly. In 1955, stewardesses and stewards were brought together under a single designation: cabin crew. With the arrival of jet planes and then wide-body aircraft, crews became larger, and roles became more closely aligned, and better organized. New positions emerged, such as Purser and Chief Purser. Above all, the role of cabin crew was no longer limited to service. Safety became a central dimension, underpinned by rigorous training sessions, regular drills, and precise mastery of procedures. Welcoming passengers, customer service, crew coordination, emergency management: the role of cabin crew today combines interpersonal excellence with operational expertise.
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Service on board 1946 in the SE-161 Languedoc
© Air France -
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Stewardesses training at the Vilgénis school in 1947
© Air France -
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Training at the Vilgénis school in 1947
© Air France -
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Air France stewardesses in a suit Georgette Rénal in 1946, Miss Madeleine Chamoreau (now Madame Raimbault) and De La Chapelle.
© Air France -
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Miss Evelyne Oudinot, stewardesses at Air France, dressed in a Georgette Rénal suit in 1948.
© Air France
A living legacy embodying the image of Air France
From the very beginning, flight attendants have also embodied Air France’s image around the world. Their uniforms, initially designed to be practical and robust in the immediate post-war period, gradually became a powerful symbol of the airline’s elegance. From Georgette Rénal to Christian Lacroix, by way of Dior, Balenciaga and Carven, the greatest names in haute couture have been part of this story.
More than just a fashion statement, it is an entire art de vivre that finds expression onboard: a commitment to service, attention to detail, gastronomy, elegance, a culture of hospitality. A legacy in motion that continues to shine a light on the Air France brand.
Eight decades after the arrival of the first 11 female flight attendants, this story continues to be written every day. Today, more than 13,000 cabin crew members, including 8,800 women, proudly carry Air France’s colors around the world, in the same spirit of excellence, safety, elegance, and service.
To explore the historical details further, visit our dedicated historical page.