TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China Airlines Wednesday debuted its new pantsuit uniform option for female flight attendants in response to calls for gender equality.
China Airlines showcased the new uniforms at the Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports, per CNA. Flight attendants arriving via shuttle buses were seen wearing a mix of skirts and pants.
Huang Shih-hui (黃世惠), president of the airline's Kaohsiung branch, told the media the pantsuits have been launched in response to global trends and the principle of gender equality. Huang said female flight attendants can now choose from three uniform sets and mix and match according to their needs, with the majority having opted for at least one pantsuit.

At Taoyuan Airport, flight attendant Huang Hui-chen (黃慧甄) told the media that the pants designed by the company are very warm. She explained that in the past, when wearing skirts, her lower body was only covered by stockings, making company shuttle bus rides very cold.
Hsu Chia-lun (許嘉倫) pointed out that the job requires extensive standing, walking, bending, and squatting, and pants provide greater flexibility and convenience. Hsu thanked the company for responding positively to union advocacy and being willing to make progressive changes.
Flight attendant Chiu Yu-hsuan (邱于軒) said that skirts and pants have merits. She said skirts present a gentle and elegant feminine image, while pants offer a neat and professional look.

CAL said the pants uniforms are now available for frontline staff, including cabin and ground crew, as an additional uniform option based on their needs. The pants uniforms are being distributed in phases, with the first batch made available on Wednesday.
In August, the National Human Rights Commission in Taiwan urged the country's airlines to provide a trouser-based uniform option for female flight attendants. The NHRC said its recommendation was in response to a complaint from the Taoyuan flight attendants union that the requirement to wear skirts and heels was discriminatory.
