Do sexy flight attendants really sell more seats?

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Many Asian airlines base their brand image on young, attractive flight attendants
• The jury is still out on whether sex appeal actually sells more seats
• In China, some flight attendant hopefuls learn kung-fu to face "stressful situations"
• "It is kosher in Asia to push youth and beauty," says one airline CEO

QUESTIONS

• Legal issues: Grounded at 30?
• Profits: No link between beauty, bottom line?
• Offensive: Is "sexy" a bad word?

Nok Air Sexy Calendar 2013

[JetSetCD, Jaunted - 13 Feb 2013] What is the turn of a new year without a flight attendant calendar controversy? This year, the award for naughty airline calendar goes to Thai budget airline Nok Air, whose slogan is "We Fly Smiles."

They also apparently fly scantily clad, as Nok's Facebook previewed three photos from the calendar as part of a contest to win a free copy. Each of the teaser photos (shown here) are now angering the Thailand Ministry of Culture, on the grounds that the image doesn't promote the country in a proper, positive light. That doesn't mean the Ministry of Culture can stop Nok from printing their calendars, though, so the contest to give away 300 of them continues.

Nok Air Girl with wings

Nok Air Girl with wings

The Airline: Nok Air นกแอร์

Nok Air (Thai: นกแอร์, derived from nok (นก) , the Thai word for bird) is a low-cost airline headquartered in Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand, operating domestic and international services out of Bangkok Don Mueang Airport. Nok Air is the budget airline of Thai Airways International. The airline is currently an official sponsor of TTM Phichit , Bangkok United and Chiangmai FC.