Russian airline Aeroflot has sparked outrage among its flight crew after banning as many as 400 "old, fat and ugly" stewardesses from prestigious foreign routes. Calling themselves STS - the Russian abbreviation for "old, fat, ugly" - they say they are being prevented from flying on international routes, and instead given unfashionable domestic flights. This means the experienced and loyal crew lose money, and miss out on layovers in exotic foreign destinations. Igor Deldyuzhov, the president of a trade union representing flight crew, said there were many complaints of discrimination over age and appearance. Flight attendants are desperately trying to lose weight in order to keep their international flight work, and the higher salary that goes with it, said Natalia, 42.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 22, 2017 23:48 UTC