This article pays tribute to the “Original Eight,” the pioneering women who laid the foundation for today’s nearly 250,000 flight attendants worldwide. In 1930, becoming a Boeing Skygirl was a coveted dream. These eight single nurses were recruited with the allure of potential marriage to wealthy, lonely businessmen. However, their impact extended far beyond that, revolutionizing air travel by prioritizing passenger comfort and safety. During the Great Depression, advancements in aircraft technology made air travel increasingly accessible. Boeing held the unique position of being both the first airliner manufacturer and the first airline passenger transportation company to offer in-flight services.
In 1928, Boeing introduced the Model 80, an airliner specifically designed for passenger comfort, featuring a separate flight deck and a spacious cabin. The initial model accommodated twelve passengers, followed by the larger, eighteen-passenger Model 80-A a year later. Originally, young boys were tasked with serving refreshments and attending to airsick passengers. However, Ellen Church, a registered nurse, proposed that women, specifically nurses, would be better suited as stewards. She believed nurses could better cater to passenger needs, promote a sense of safety through their presence, and free up pilots for flight duties. Boeing management approved her proposal, and on May 15, 1930, eight women were hired for a three-month trial, marking the beginning of the “stewardess” role.
The duties of these original stewardesses extended beyond cabin service. They served as tour guides, pointing out landmarks, collected tickets, loaded luggage, and even assisted in fueling and pushing the aircraft into the hangar. Due to space constraints, Boeing required stewardesses to be no taller than 5’4″ and weigh no more than 115 lbs. In 1931, Boeing Air Transportation, Inc., merged with other companies to form United Airlines. Around this time, most of the Original Eight returned to more conventional lives. In 1996, historian Vicy Morris Young paid tribute to the Original Eight, referencing an interview with Margaret Arnott, the last surviving member. Arnott recounted how, before her death in 1995, her doctor requested her autograph on a framed photo of the Original Eight in uniform, found by his wife in an antique store. Arnott humorously remarked, “I never thought I would end up in an antique store!”
Arnott enjoyed meeting with modern flight attendants and sharing her early flying experiences. She recounted a story about an emergency landing in a cornfield, to which a young flight attendant earnestly asked, “And did they jet you back to Chicago?” Arnott replied with a mischievous grin, “Not that day.” Following the introduction of the Original Eight, other airlines began hiring stewardesses. Government regulation began in 1952, with the Civil Aeronautics Administration mandating at least one steward(ess) on aircraft with a capacity of ten or more passengers for safety reasons. In 1974, the FAA updated regulations to refer to them as “flight attendant crewmember,” professionalizing the role.
While no formal government standards exist for corporate flight attendants, many companies recognize the importance of exceptional service for both comfort and safety. Today’s flight attendants, both men and women of diverse nationalities, work for various companies. Unlike the Original Eight, they no longer handle luggage or fuel planes. Thanks to jet travel, they travel further and interact cross-culturally, prepared for any emergency. Nearly 75 years after Ellen Church’s vision, the benefits of flight attendants are undeniable. We honor the Original Eight and all who have followed in their footsteps.
The Original Eight stewardesses were Ellen Church, Margaret Arnott, Jessie Carter, Ellis Crawford, Harriet Fry, Alva Johnson, Inez Keller, and Cornelia Peterman. Ellen Church’s first flight was on May 15, 1930, from San Francisco to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Her hometown of Cresco, Iowa, honored her by naming its airfield “Ellen Church Field” (CJJ) in 1959. The first flight attendants earned $125 per month.