American Airlines calls Qatar Air CEO's remarks about flight attendants ‘offensive’

American Airlines stepped up a verbal battle with Qatar Airways, assailing what the US company said were “sexist and ageist” comments by the Mideast carrier’s CEO. The rebuke was triggered after Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said at a Dublin event that the average age of his cabin crews is 26 and that “you are always being served by grandmothers” on US carriers. The remarks were “incredibly offensive,” Jill Surdek, vice president of flight service for American Airlines Group Inc., said in a message to employees Tuesday. “It was both sexist and ageist at the same time.” The exchange fueled a spat between the two carriers, which have been trading barbs since American disclosed last month that Qatar Airways had expressed interest in buying about 10% of the US carrier. American CEO Doug Parker has called Qatar Airways’ intention “puzzling at best and concerning at worst.” Al Baker last week responded that his counterpart was “frightened” by the proposed investment.<br/>