TUI Airways called ‘sexist’ after handing out ‘future captain’ stickers to boys and ‘future cabin crew’ to girls
The stickers all come in blue, but it was the way that they were divided up on board between the sexes that has sparked debate
TUI is in the middle of a sexism row after flight attendants handed out stickers that “encourage gender stereotypes”.
While on board a flight from Paphos, Cyprus to Bristol, stickers were handed to boys that read “future pilot”, while girls were given ones that read “future cabin crew”.
Dame Gillian Morgan, 56, a doctor and scientist witnessed the event, which she called “deeply sexist”.
She told that she was “absolutely sure” that it hadn’t been an accident.
Dame Gillian said: “The stickers were gender neutral but it’s the way that they were handed out that makes it complicated.
“It happens implicitly all the time. The boys can have the Lego, the space rocket going to the moon, and the girls can have a little pony."
She continued: “There must have been a way of doing it with a bit more thought. I was quite upset by it really.”
Dame Gillian is not the only person to have been outraged by the stickers and the way they were handed out.
A customer called Linzi Williams took to social media over the summer with similar complaints.
She wrote: "Lovely touch by @TUIUK flying out to Corfu Friday by giving children TUI stickers and activity sheet...
WIN A FREE HOLIDAY Fancy a free holiday to Disneyland or Dubai? Vote in our Sun Travel Awards and enter our prize draw for six great holidays
"Not so lovely that all the boys were given 'future pilot' stickers and the girls 'future cabin crew'?! Sexist much?
"I think it 'subtly' sends children messages that jobs are gendered.
"I tell my daughter she can have any job she wants, without boundaries, as long as she works hard enough. I feel that this undermines that."
A spokesperson for TUI said: "We’re sorry to hear a small number of customers have been upset by this.
"We think it has just been a simple mix-up since our future pilot and cabin crew stickers are designed for use for any child regardless of gender.
"The stickers are part of our activity packs which are intended to be used by crew to interact, engage with and create special moments for our customers on their holiday.
MOST READ IN TRAVEL
"The feedback we’ve had so far this summer has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Children fall in love with flying when they go on their holidays with us and we want to encourage their dreams of becoming future pilots and crew members."
Sun Online Travel previously revealed that a mother was furious after TUI banned babies in nappies from the swimming pool on their Marella cruise.