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Airline trains cabin crew in martial arts to deal with unruly passengers
Best warn your clients to be on their best behaviour on Hong Kong Airlines’ flights as the carrier has come up with a unique way to cope with unruly passengers.
All of its flight attendants have been trained in martial arts, so if passengers misbehave, they could find themselves in an arm-lock.
Cabin crew have all received three hours’ training in Wing Chun, the only form of martial arts developed by a woman, which is designed to promote inner balance and core strength. Primarily taught as self-defence, the moves are designed to be accomplished in a confined space, such as onboard an aircraft.
The airline, which flies between London and Hong Kong, said the training would enable flight attendants to "deal with any potential challenges".
Hong Kong Airlines’ president Yang Jian Hong said: "Aside from the obvious physical, mental and safety benefits, this demonstrates our commitment to delivering exception passenger service.
"The initiative has proved so popular with our flight attendants that we are now offering the training to our internal staff."
Flight attendants train in their uniforms to prepare them for real life situations.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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