Asiana Airlines hosts cabin crew career program for children of merged airline's employees

Asiana Airlines hosted a two-day career education and tour program for elementary school-age children of employees from both Asiana Airlines and Korean Air at its headquarters in Osoe-dong, Seoul, on Thursday and Friday.

Held under the theme "I'm a Flight Attendant for a Day," the event aimed to strengthen emotional bonds among employees' families and foster unity between staff of the two carriers ahead of their merger. It was the second joint family exchange program of the year, following "Why? Aviation Science Exploration Class," which introduced aircraft maintenance work in January.

Participating employees and their children carried out three special missions at the cabin crew training center, a facility normally off-limits to the public, to experience the work of flight attendants firsthand. The program consisted of a cabin crew experience — covering in-flight service practice, image coaching, cabin announcement practice and flight attendant walking — a safety training session that included in-flight fire suppression and emergency evacuation slide drills, and a career talk by a flight crew member.

One elementary school student who took part said practicing cabin announcements and emergency evacuation drills "just like a real flight attendant" was thrilling. "I gained a deeper understanding of where my parents work, made unforgettable memories and got to spend time with new friends," the child said.

An Asiana Airlines official said the company hoped the event would give children a sense of pride in their parents' work. "We will continue to build a family-friendly corporate culture that supports work-life balance, and expand exchange programs that allow employees and their families from both companies to connect with one another as we approach the merger, laying the groundwork for a successful integration," the official said.