Meaning and usage of the word air hostess in English

The term "air hostess" originally emerged in the 1960s to describe the female cabin crew members on commercial airplanes. It was coined to emphasize the role of these women as hospitable and gracious hosts or hostesses during the flight, providing passengers with food, drinks, and a comfortable travel experience. The term gained popularity during a time when air travel was relatively new and novel, and airlines wanted to create a sophisticated and luxurious image. The word "stewardess" was also commonly used at the time, but "air hostess" was preferred as it conveyed a more elegant and formal image. Today, the term "cabin crew member" is more commonly used due to changing gender norms and a growing recognition of the professional roles and responsibilities of modern airline crew, although the historic term "air hostess" still holds nostalgic value and cultural significance for some.