Airline Cabin Research Articles

Work Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Burnout and Its Consequences, Using a Structural Model, in Air Cabin Crew Members

Burnout is an emerging socio-labor phenomenon, where this problem is particularly relevant in airline cabin crew members, who face important psychosocial demands and difficult working conditions. This study aimed to analyze job satisfaction and its relationship with burnout and its consequences (family–work conflict (FWC), work–family conflict (WFC), and psychosomatic disorders), through structural models. The sample consisted of 732 workers in the aeronautical sector (204 men/28% and 528 women/72%), aged between 19 and 53 years (M = 33.56, dt = 6.62). The hypotheses were tested using a path model. The selected hypothesized model [where work satisfaction is associated according to the relationships established burnout model showed an adequate fit of the data, including a mediating role of feelings of guilt in the relationship between burnout and FWC (where FWC was associated with WFC and psychosomatic disorders). The findings of this study provide further insight into the problematic experience and development of burnout in airline cabin crews, in turn providing new evidence on the bidirectional and reciprocal relationships of FWC.

Effects of atmospheric pressure change during flight on insulin pump delivery and glycaemic control of pilots with insulin-treated diabetes: an in vitro simulation and a retrospective observational real-world study.

Glycaemic control and clinical outcomes in diabetes are improved by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Atmospheric pressure changes during flights may affect insulin delivery from pumps and cause unintended metabolic consequences, including hypoglycaemia, in people with type 1 diabetes. The present report evaluates both hypobaric flight simulation and real-world data in pilots using insulin pumps while flying. In the flight simulation part of this study, an in vitro study of insulin pumps was conducted in a hypobaric chamber, de-pressurised to 550 mmHg to mimic the atmospheric pressure changes in airliner cabins during commercial flights. Insulin delivery rates and bubble formation were recorded for standard flight protocol. Insulin infusion sets, without pumps, were tested in a simulated rapid decompression scenario. The real-world observational study was a 7.5-year retrospective cohort study in which pre- and in-flight self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG) values were monitored in pilots with insulin-treated diabetes. Commercial and private pilots granted a medical certificate to fly within the European Union Aviation Safety Agency approved protocol and receiving insulin either by pump or multiple daily injections (MDI) were included. In the flight simulation study, full cartridges over-delivered 0.60 U of insulin during a 20 min ascent and under-delivered by 0.51 U during descent compared with ground-level performance. During emergency rapid decompression, 5.6 U of excess insulin was delivered. In the real-world study, seven pilots using CSII recorded 4656 SMBG values during 2345 h of flying across 1081 flights. Only 33 (0.7%) values were outside an acceptable safe range (5.0-15.0 mmol/l [90-270 mg/dl]). No clinically significant fall in the median SMBG concentration was observed after aircraft ascent and no in-flight SMBG values were within the hypoglycaemic range (<4.0 mmol/l [<72 mg/dl]). Compared with pilots receiving MDI therapy, pilots using CSII recorded more SMBG values within the acceptable range (99.3% vs 97.5%), fewer values in the low red range (0.02% vs 0.1%), fewer in-flight out-of-range values (0.2% vs 1.3%) and maintained stricter glycaemic control during flight. Ambient pressure reduction during simulated flights results in bubble formation and expansion within insulin cartridges. This causes unintended delivery of small insulin doses independent of pre-determined delivery rates and represents the maximum amount of insulin that could be delivered and retracted. However, in vivo, pilots using CSII in-flight did not experience a fall in blood glucose or episodes of hypoglycaemia during these atmospheric pressure changes and the use of insulin pumps can be endorsed in view of their clinical benefits.

Chest compression quality decreases in hypoxic conditions simulating an airliner cabin at cruising altitude: a randomized, controlled, double-blind Manikin Study

AbstractAir traveler numbers are predicted to reach 4.0 billion in 2024. Between 1/15,000–50,000 passengers will experience acute medical problems inflight with cardiac arrests requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) accounting for 0.3% of medical emergencies. Hypoxia in airplane cabins could impair oxygenation and physical performance of caregivers. We conducted a randomized controlled, double-blind study to test the hypothesis that hypoxia decreases the effectiveness in performing CPR. We randomized 24 healthcare professionals to two different study arms, each consisting of two conditions: arm (1) ‘hypoxia (FiO2 15%, equivalent to 2400 m altitude)’ versus ‘normoxia’; arm (2) ‘hypoxia + supplemental oxygen’ versus ‘normoxia + supplemental oxygen’. The order of conditions was counterbalanced and a minimum wash-out period of 24 h was granted between conditions. In each condition participants performed a 5-min cardiac compression only CPR (CCO-CPR) using a full-body manikin after one, three and six hours in an altitude chamber. Mixed ANOVAs with post-hoc false-discovery-rate adjusted pairwise comparisons indicated that although compression frequency was maintained, the number of compressions with correct depth was decreased at all times during hypoxia compared to normoxia (all p &lt; 0.002). After 6 h hypoxia exposure, mean compression depth was below the recommended compression depth defined by ERC/AHA guidelines and reduced compared to normoxia (42.4 ± 12.6 mm vs. 54.6 ± 4.3 mm, p &lt; 0.0001). Supplemental oxygen during CCO-CPR in hypoxia prevented the decrease of compression-depth (55.3 ± 3 mm). Extended hypoxia exposure akin to conditions in airplane cabins can reduce quality of chest compressions during CPR. Supplemental oxygen for healthcare providers is an effective countermeasure.

Challenges and coping strategies in airline service under crosscultural context

This study explores the challenges faced by airline cabin service from the perspectives of globalization and intercultural communication, as well as potential strategies to address these issues. The paper first reviews and analyzes the intercultural interaction problems that have emerged in airline cabin service, including language barriers, cultural clashes, and the misunderstandings and conflicts they bring. Subsequently, through field research and in-depth interviews, this article proposes and demonstrates a series of strategies to address these issues, including providing cultural adaptability training, enhancing cabin crew's language proficiency and intercultural communication skills, and improving the quality of service. Through the study and analysis of these strategies, this paper concludes that intercultural sensitivity and adaptability are crucial for improving the quality of airline cabin service and passenger satisfaction, providing theoretical basis and practical reference for airlines.

Beyond formal training: insights into cabin crew learning for emergencies

ABSTRACT This paper provides a sociocultural understanding of how airline cabin crew negotiate their learning for emergencies and challenges the conventional approach of relying solely on formal training. Drawing on ethnographic methods, our research offers insights into the learning trajectory of the cabin crew of a regional airline operating in the Tasman Sea Region. While learning occurs as new cabin crew members engage with routine work practices and share experiences with their peers, performing in emergencies – a core cabin crew duty – is not situated within their everyday work. Nevertheless, we argue that learning for emergencies shows characteristics of sociocultural learning in sharing stories and negotiating the meaning of their role. By acknowledging and integrating contextualised narratives in their learning for emergencies, cabin crew can develop a deeper understanding of their role in the interplay of knowledge, values, beliefs, and stories. The study’s findings prompt a reconsideration of current aviation training programmes, and they highlight the need for a more holistic, contextually rich approach to cabin crew learning for emergencies.

Walking-induced particle resuspension in a commercial airliner cabin under different ventilation systems

The potential health risk posed by particle resuspension in the air of an airliner cabin is a concern for passengers. This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze particle dispersion patterns under different ventilation systems, such as mixing ventilation (MV), underfloor air distribution (UFAD), and aisle displacement ventilation (ADV), within a twin-aisle cabin environment. To ensure the accuracy of the CFD model, the study validated the simulated air velocity distribution against experimental airflow patterns from a small-scale water model reported in existing literature. Additionally, the research included direct measurements of particle resuspension within the breathing zone of a full-scale, twin-aisle cabin mockup, which featured five rows of seats. These measurements were taken in response to the disturbance caused by a volunteer walking over an aviation carpet in the aisle. While the CFD simulation results generally aligned with the experimental data, some discrepancies were noted. Pinpointing the exact causes of these discrepancies proved challenging due to the numerous uncertainties and approximations inherent in the study. Nevertheless, the investigation revealed that the air in the upper region near the moving body was pushed forward, creating a strong airflow that enveloped the body. This dynamic resulted in the formation of a wake that lifted particles from the floor level to the upper cabin area. The study observed that particle concentration within the breathing zone increased in the direction of movement. The airflow patterns produced by the three ventilation systems were different. Despite the cabin's symmetrical design, some particles can still transfer from one side to the other, especially under the MV system. The peak particle concentration in the breathing zone was recorded at 20 s, after which it decreased to negligible levels by 120 s. Among the ventilation systems analyzed, the MV system exhibited the highest peak particle concentration, while the UFAD system showed the lowest peak. However, the UFAD system also presented the possibility of very high particle concentrations at certain seats.

코로나19 상황 항공사 객실서비스에 대한 연구-A 항공사를 중심으로

코로나19 상황 항공사 객실서비스에 대한 연구-A 항공사를 중심으로

PBL 수업모델을 적용한 항공 객실서비스실무 학습효과

This study applied the problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model to the aviation cabin service practical course offered in the Department of Aviation Service to train airline cabin crew and analyzed its learning effects. For this purpose, the PBL teaching model was applied to 61 students in the Department of Aviation Service in Jeollanam-do for a total of 12 weeks out of 15 weeks of class for 3 credits in the aviation cabin service practical course. The application of the PBL teaching model was conducted in a total of two modules based on the National Competency Standards (NCS). In the self-evaluation of participation in airline cabin service practical classes using the PBL teaching model, learners faithfully presented the learning outcomes of problem-solving activities. In the self-evaluation of the training results, the learners said that they learned a lot about communication problems during team activities and that the overall class activities were helpful in terms of training satisfaction. Through the application of the PBL teaching model, students faithfully presented the learning results of problem-solving activities, became aware of many communication problem situations during team activities, and found that overall class activities were helpful.

Tourists at Work: Outstation Leisure Behavior of Airline Cabin Crew

During airline cabin crew members’ time abroad, although they are on duty and relevant laws and regulations regulate their behaviors, they still have free time for leisure. This circumstance gives them the characteristics of being tourists at work. The present study applied the border theory and the concept of liminality to explore the tourists at work phenomenon among airline cabin crews. We adopted qualitative research methods and interviewed 40 flight attendants with experience in long-haul trans-oceanic flights. Six significant types of leisure behaviors were identified: serious leisure, spontaneous leisure, self-guided, group, spontaneous work and leisure, and nightlife and gaming leisure. Additionally, this study discussed the changes in airline cabin crews’ travel behaviors and their contribution to tourist destinations.

&lt;b&gt;Determining Repurchase Intentions of Airline Passengers: Role of Cabin Crew Competence and Passenger Satisfaction&lt;/b&gt;

Through the lens of effect-as-information theory, this study develops and evaluates a mediation model aiming to understand the role of interpersonal and professional competence of airline cabin crew in determining repurchase intentions of passengers. The model associates the perceived competencies of cabin crew with passenger satisfaction which leads to the repeat patronage. After initial screening for the type of flight and cabin class, 303 valid responses were used for further analysis. Moreover, in coherence with Partial Least Square (PLS) method, goodness-of-fit for the proposed model, predictive relevance of endogenous variables, composite reliability and discriminant validity of the measurement scale was established before conducting mediation analysis. The results supported the premise that the positive direct-effect (26%) of crew competence on repurchase intentions is significant and with the inclusion of passenger satisfaction as a mediator, this association yields even a stronger impact i.e., 67%. These findings significantly contribute to the service-management literature by introducing a framework and testing a unique nexus among the study variables that is previously not explored in aviation industry. In the end, practical implications are discussed, few limitations of the study are acknowledged and some possible future research endeavors are also advised that can be pursued while using the proposed framework.

AI Enabled Airline Cabin Services: AI Augmented Services for Emotional Values. Service Design for High‐Touch Solutions and Service Quality

AbstractThis paper highlights the significance of emotional values within digital services during the airline cabin experience. Currently, emotional engagement with front‐line AI interactions, such as AI assistants, lacks trust. Thus, the role of AI must be reimagined to better integrate the human factor into the service experience through things like high‐touch in order to create trust and improve the perception of cabin service quality. Service design is a human‐centric approach to service creation in which the user is typically made the main subject of the service research; the service process (service interaction) then co‐creates values alongside the service provider. The major concept discussed here is AI Augmented Services (AIAS), which turn high‐tech capabilities into high‐touch “human centric” services that can offer access, control, and well‐being to the user, all of which are key components in the establishment of trust. Airline future services can then implement this study for the purpose of detecting human emotions, co‐creating emotional values, and promoting emotional intelligence through the AIAS interactive communication channels, thereby transforming high‐tech capabilities into high‐touch opportunities. The methodological approach began by determining a benchmark for the state‐of‐the‐art AI technology in transport and conducting a set of expert interviews. Notably, the possible materialisation and challenges of AIAS high‐touch cabin services are also discussed here. This article can be considered to be a first step toward a service design in which opportunities are discussed with the goal of “discovering” possible AI solutions. Consecutive stages will be presented in future articles in which the concepts introduced here will be further defined and developed.

Turbulence characterization of instantaneous airflow above passengers with different air distribution systems in a commercial airliner cabin

The environment inside airliner cabins has attracted increasing attention. Instantaneous airflow, as one of the fundamental parameters of airflow field, affects aspects of the airliner cabin environment such as occupant comfort and airborne disease transmission. This study evaluated the characteristics of instantaneous airflow in airliner cabins with different ventilation systems (mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation) and focused on the region above passengers' heads, where complex turbulence characteristics are found. This investigation used ultrasonic anemometers for measurements at ten selected points above passengers' heads. The energy ratio on the low-frequency scale with mixing ventilation was greater than that with displacement ventilation. The instantaneous airflow with mixing ventilation was close to that of natural wind, while the instantaneous airflow with displacement ventilation was close to that of mechanical wind. Compared with mixing ventilation, displacement ventilation produced a smaller vortex length and a shorter residence time. Moreover, there was no long-term vortex in the flow field under displacement ventilation, and therefore, pollutants would be discharged more quickly from the cabin. In addition, this paper distinguishes the spatial and temporal turbulence scales of mixing and displacement ventilation, thus providing a reference for the selection of grid size and time steps in computational fluid dynamics simulations.

Turkish airline cabin crew members’ attitudes towards protection from infectious diseases in the context of their health responsibilities and health perceptions

IntroductionThis paper investigated Turkish Airline cabin crew members’ attitudes towards protection from infectious diseases in the context of their health responsibilities and health perceptions. Materials and methodsThe study adopted a descriptive research design. The sample consisted of 686 cabin crew members. Data were collected online using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, a scale of attitudes towards infectious diseases, the Health Perception Scale(HPS), and the Health Responsibility subscale(HRS) of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale(HLBS). The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, v. 20.0). Number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, f test, and correlation were used for analysis. ResultsParticipants had a mean HPS and HRS score of 56.12 ± 8.22 and 24.50 ± 7.05, respectively. The difference between the participants' marital status, position in the workplace, age group, number of children, occupational experience, exposure to communicable diseases, training on prevention from communicable diseases, voluntary vaccination status, and HPS and HRS scores were statistically significant(p < .05). ConclusionThere was a strong correlation between HPS and HRS scores(r = 0.664). Cabin crew members’ health perceptions and health responsibilities were affected by numerous factors. Suggestions were made to cabin crew members pertaining to infectious diseases and ways of protecting from them.

심리사회적 안전 풍토가 안전행동과 훈련만족에 미치는 영향

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of the policies and implementation of the psychosocial safety climate within airlines on cabin crew member safety behaviors and satisfaction through virtual reality (VR) training, with the aim of ensuring safe flights. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study was conducted to validate the established hypotheses and research models by employing 353 cabin crew members within a domestic company that provides VR training. Empirical research was executed using the SPSS 25.0 statistical package for data analysis. Findings – This study found that the psychosocial safety climate positively impacts the safety behavior of cabin crew, which is enhanced through airline VR training. Essential factors that promote organizational safety activities include management support and commitment, management priorities, organizational communication, and organizational participation and involvement. Moreover, managing the stress of flight duty-related cabin crews significantly impacts the relationship between safety behavior and training satisfaction. VR training helps improve organizational safety, and organizational efforts seem to encourage the active participation of employees in providing an environment where safe flights can be carried out. Research Implications – This study suggests the necessity of expanding and applying training programs using VR, not limited to VR training for cabin crew members, also considering the job characteristics of other departments, such as pilots and maintenance personnel. Also, this research explores methods for effectively managing human resources in airline cabin crews in accordance with the changed training methods, and provides reference materials for effectively conducting VR training in the future.

The Effect of Perceived Job Demands of Airline Cabin Crew on Burnout Post-COVID-19

The Effect of Perceived Job Demands of Airline Cabin Crew on Burnout Post-COVID-19

The Study of the Training Platform towards Thailand’s International Airlines Cabin Crew during the Pandemic of Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has put the airline business in a challenging position. It is one of the leading businesses with tremendous impacts from the pandemic. Although international airlines confront difficulties returning to typical situations, they still need to provide their cabin crew the training courses because they must always be ready to return to work. This study aimed to explore international airline cabin crew&amp;rsquo;s needs, problems, and experiences of training platforms during the pandemic of COVID-19. The key informant of five cabin crew was selected from the international airlines in Thailand. An interview approach was used to collect the data using an in-depth interview form which was then analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed 1) the organization should identify the characteristics of trainers when conducting during the pandemic, 2) the organization should set the appropriate climate for online training classes during the pandemic, 3) the organization should clarify the differences between theoretical class and practical class during the pandemics, 4) the organization should learn from the difficulties in conducting the online training class during the pandemics, 5) the organization should identifying the difference between conducting theoretical class and practical class, 6) the organization should take it to the next level, and 7) everyone in the organization should consider it as the new normal in life as the cabin crew. The study summarized, then proposed the findings of the overall cabin crew&amp;rsquo;s needs, problems, and experiences of training platforms during the pandemic of COVID-19.

A Study on Airline Cabin Crew Safety Training Programs and Managers

A Study on Airline Cabin Crew Safety Training Programs and Managers

팀장의 양면적 리더십과 팀원의 잡 크래프팅, 자기효능감, 서비스 혁신행동간의 구조적 관계 : 항공사 객실승무원을 대상으로

This study established a hypothesis and empirically verified it to examine the effect of the ambidextrous leadership of the airline cabin team leader on the service innovation behavior of the cabin attendants. And it also examines in the relationship between the ambidextrous leadership, which is the interaction between exploratory and exploitatory leadership and the service innovation behavior, the mediating effect of job crafting and the moderated mediating effect of self-efficacy. The results of this study prove the importance of job crafting as a medium for ambidextrous leadership and service innovation behavior, and the importance of self-efficacy in increasing service innovation behavior through ambidextrous leadership mediating job crafting. Through these empirical analysis results, we intend to present useful implications that can promote service innovation behavior of cabin attendants.

Evaluation of infection probability of Covid-19 in different types of airliner cabins.

According to the World Health Organization (https://covid19.who.int/), more than 651 million people have been infected by COVID-19, and more than 6.6 million of them have died. COVID-19 has spread to almost every country in the world because of air travel. Cases of COVID-19 transmission from an index patient to fellow passengers in commercial airplanes have been widely reported. This investigation used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate airflow and COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) transport in a variety of airliner cabins. The cabins studied were economy-class with 2-2, 3-3, 2-3-2, and 3-3-3 seat configurations, respectively. The CFD results were validated by using experimental data from a seven-row cabin mockup with a 3-3 seat configuration. This study used the Wells-Riley model to estimate the probability of infection with SARS-CoV-2. The results show that CFD can predict airflow and virus transmission with acceptable accuracy. With an assumed flight time of 4h, the infection probability was almost the same among the different cabins, except that the 3-3-3 configuration had a lower risk because of its airflow pattern. Flying time was the most important parameter for causing the infection, while cabin type also played a role. Without mask wearing by the passengers and the index patient, the infection probability could be 8% for a 10-h, long-haul flight, such as a twin-aisle air cabin with 3-3-3 seat configuration.

항공사의 조직문화가 괴롭힘적 분위기, 반생산적 과업 행동과 이직 의도와의 영향 관계

This study focuses on the hierarchical organizational culture of airline cabin crew with a stricter hierarchical order than other industries. The purpose of this study is to suggest implications for human resource management of airline cabin crew through the relationship between hierarchical organizational culture and bullying atmosphere, counterproductive task behavior, and turnover intention. For analysis, SPSS v.21 and AMOS v.21 programs were performed ti conduct frequency analysis for sample characteristics, validity and reliability analysis of measurement tools, and path analysis for hypothesis test. The results of findings are first the hierarchical organizational culture of airline cabin crew had a positive (+) effect on the bullying atmosphere. Second, it was found that the bullying atmosphere of airline cabin crew had a positive (+) effect on counterproductive work behavior. Third, the bullying atmosphere of airline cabin crew had a positive (+) effect on turnover intention. Fourth, the counterproductive work behavior had a positive (+) effect on turnover intention. At the last, it was analyzed that counterproductive work behavior was partially mediated between the bullying atmosphere and turnover intention. With the results of this study, we present strategic implications for human resource management of airline cabin crew.