Aeroflot gender discrimination case reaches court in Moscow

Two Aeroflot flight attendants are to have their gender discrimination claims against the airline heard in court in Moscow this week in the first case of its kind to involve a major, state-controlled Russian company. The two women, both in their 40s, are suing after the Russian carrier photographed and measured all flight attendants and, their claim argues, took those women who were a Russian size 48 (a UK size 14) or larger off the much coveted – and better paid – long-haul international flights. They are among hundreds of female Aeroflot employees who say they’ve been discriminated against. Aeroflot denies the Russian women’s claims. “Aeroflot does not place geographical restrictions on where individual members of cabin crew may fly,” said Vladimir Alexandrov, the airline’s deputy chief executive for legal matters. <br/>