Qatar Air CEO Is Sorry for Slighting U.S. Flight Attendants
- Akbar Al Baker says comments weren’t intended to cause offense
- American Airlines pilots call for end of marketing alliance
Akbar Al Baker
Photographer: Marlene Awaad/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Qatar Airways Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker apologized “unreservedly” for his unflattering description of U.S. flight attendants as grandmothers, a day after the remarks touched off a firestorm of criticism from labor unions and American Airlines Group Inc.
The informal comments at a private gala dinner in Dublin were “in no way” intended to cause offense, Al Baker said in an emailed statement Wednesday. He had said “you are always being served by grandmothers” on U.S. airlines, adding that the average age of Qatar Airways cabin crews was 26. American called the earlier remarks “both sexist and ageist” in a message to employees.