an air hostess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an air hostess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a female flight attendant who serves passengers on an aircraft. Example: "The air hostess greeted the passengers with a warm smile as they boarded the plane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

A millionaire businessman has been convicted of raping an air hostess after spiking her drink.

Independent

After all, that is the job of an air hostess and a male steward".

Independent

Invite an air hostess on stage to give a twirl of her Vivienne Westwood-designed cabin uniform.

Independent

I felt completely ready for a career as an air hostess so when they wrote back I was so excited.

Independent

If I don't find an air hostess, there'll be nothing for it but to marry a Japanese.

The New Yorker

(William the Conqueror, for example, had a terrible time over his mother being a tanner's daughter, considered almost as bad as an air hostess).

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

She had come here from Australia, she explained, to work as an air-hostess.

BBC

Our jet-setting, A-list air hostess to the stars has made a much-anticipated move to the U.S. and is now based in New York City.

Huffington Post

But as the female leads became increasingly outlandish (a tribeswoman, a Timelady, a genteel alien aristocrat, an Australian air hostess etc) so, too, did the boys – when they finally came back.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A time when I was merely starting out as an international air hostess, unaware of what my life was about to become: G-A-Y!

Huffington Post

Joe, a Canadian businessman, met Wendy, an Australian air hostess, while she was in Canada.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about aviation professionals, consider using the more modern and inclusive term "flight attendant" instead of "an air hostess", as it is gender-neutral and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "an air hostess" in formal or professional contexts, as it can be perceived as outdated and less inclusive. Opt for "flight attendant" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an air hostess" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a female flight attendant. Ludwig examples show its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

11%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an air hostess" refers to a female flight attendant. While grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources, it's increasingly viewed as outdated. Modern and inclusive alternatives such as "flight attendant" are generally preferred. Ludwig's AI identifies the phrase's primary function as identifying an occupation, with a neutral register leaning towards slight obsolescence. To maintain clarity and inclusivity, consider opting for the more contemporary term in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flight attendant

Replaces outdated term with a more modern and gender-neutral term.

a cabin attendant

Focuses on the role of attending to the cabin rather than gender.

an airline stewardess

Highlights the airline aspect of the role but uses a slightly older term.

a member of the cabin crew

Emphasizes the team aspect of the flight staff.

a flight crew member

Broader term that includes pilots and other flight personnel.

a female flight attendant

Specifically indicates a female flight attendant.

a female cabin crew member

Highlights both the gender and team aspect.

a woman working on a plane

General description of a woman working on an airplane.

a sky girl

Informal, older term for a female flight attendant.

a female airline employee

Very broad term, not specific to flight duties.

FAQs

What is a more modern term for "an air hostess"?

A more modern and gender-neutral term is "flight attendant". This term is widely used and accepted in the aviation industry and beyond.

Is it appropriate to use the term "an air hostess" today?

While the term "an air hostess" is still understood, it's becoming less common. Using "flight attendant" is generally preferred for its inclusivity and modernity.

What's the difference between "an air hostess" and "flight attendant"?

"An air hostess" is an older term specifically referring to female flight attendants. "Flight attendant" is a gender-neutral term that applies to all individuals who perform those duties, regardless of their gender.

When should I use "flight attendant" instead of "an air hostess"?

You should use "flight attendant" in most situations, especially in professional or formal contexts, as it is more inclusive and contemporary. "An air hostess" might be acceptable in historical contexts or when referring to a specific person who identified with that term.