Allegations of Sexual Harassment Surface at Air France Amid Internal Report
An investigation reveals numerous testimonies from Air France employees about persistent sexual harassment and the perceived power imbalance with pilots.
On February 14, 2025, Radio France's investigative unit released a report shedding light on serious allegations regarding sexual harassment and gender-based violence within Air France.
The detailed article documented statements from flight attendants, stewards, and pilots, suggesting a corporate culture that normalizes and facilitates such misconduct.
An internal report from September 2024 indicated that nearly half of long-haul flight attendants and stewards consider their interactions with pilots to be "awkward or very awkward." The report highlighted the longstanding perception of a "powerful status of pilots," which is allegedly supported by the company’s management.
One flight attendant, Mathilde, who has worked with Air France for 20 years, recounted an incident involving a head flight attendant during a flight from Paris to Casablanca in 2021. She described being forcibly held against an oven and assaulted.
Upon her return to Paris, her complaint was dismissed by Air France, leading her to express frustration, stating, "It’s his word against mine."
Another flight attendant, Juliette, who has been in her role for six years, reported similar harassment during a flight to Caracas, including inappropriate remarks and physical advances.
After reporting another incident during a Paris-Bamako flight, she claimed that Air France took no action for six months, stating, "Air France protects the perpetrators, not the flight attendants."
Victims also reported distressing post-incident handling.
Julie, assaulted during a layover in 2019, was presented with a forced apology letter from her assailant and was compelled to acknowledge the apology under coercion, prompting her attorney, Mylène Hadji, to accuse the airline of attempting to suppress the issue, noting that such intimidation is punishable by law.
Dominique experienced obscene acts by pilots in 2021 and reported receiving no acknowledgment after her report.
Lucie, a flight commander and instructor, described an environment of impunity, asserting, "The pilots are all-powerful."
Despite Air France’s assertion of a "zero tolerance" policy regarding harassment, multiple unions have criticized the airlines' internal investigations.
Bruno Merabtene from the National Union of Air France Cabin Crew (SNPNC) remarked on the ineffectiveness of such inquiries, stating, "There are gaps, and sanctions are non-existent or vague."
A pilot union, Alter, has raised alarms since 2021 about the "normalization" of violence, suggesting that the situation could jeopardize flight safety.
They highlighted a previous initiative, which included a sexism-related mural that was displayed and subsequently removed in 2023, as a superficial response.
In response to the allegations, Air France reiterated that such behaviors "have no place in the company." Despite this, the testimonies from employees continue to emerge, indicating a troubling and pervasive issue within the airline.
The detailed article documented statements from flight attendants, stewards, and pilots, suggesting a corporate culture that normalizes and facilitates such misconduct.
An internal report from September 2024 indicated that nearly half of long-haul flight attendants and stewards consider their interactions with pilots to be "awkward or very awkward." The report highlighted the longstanding perception of a "powerful status of pilots," which is allegedly supported by the company’s management.
One flight attendant, Mathilde, who has worked with Air France for 20 years, recounted an incident involving a head flight attendant during a flight from Paris to Casablanca in 2021. She described being forcibly held against an oven and assaulted.
Upon her return to Paris, her complaint was dismissed by Air France, leading her to express frustration, stating, "It’s his word against mine."
Another flight attendant, Juliette, who has been in her role for six years, reported similar harassment during a flight to Caracas, including inappropriate remarks and physical advances.
After reporting another incident during a Paris-Bamako flight, she claimed that Air France took no action for six months, stating, "Air France protects the perpetrators, not the flight attendants."
Victims also reported distressing post-incident handling.
Julie, assaulted during a layover in 2019, was presented with a forced apology letter from her assailant and was compelled to acknowledge the apology under coercion, prompting her attorney, Mylène Hadji, to accuse the airline of attempting to suppress the issue, noting that such intimidation is punishable by law.
Dominique experienced obscene acts by pilots in 2021 and reported receiving no acknowledgment after her report.
Lucie, a flight commander and instructor, described an environment of impunity, asserting, "The pilots are all-powerful."
Despite Air France’s assertion of a "zero tolerance" policy regarding harassment, multiple unions have criticized the airlines' internal investigations.
Bruno Merabtene from the National Union of Air France Cabin Crew (SNPNC) remarked on the ineffectiveness of such inquiries, stating, "There are gaps, and sanctions are non-existent or vague."
A pilot union, Alter, has raised alarms since 2021 about the "normalization" of violence, suggesting that the situation could jeopardize flight safety.
They highlighted a previous initiative, which included a sexism-related mural that was displayed and subsequently removed in 2023, as a superficial response.
In response to the allegations, Air France reiterated that such behaviors "have no place in the company." Despite this, the testimonies from employees continue to emerge, indicating a troubling and pervasive issue within the airline.
